Four Winds Casinos is a collection of premier gaming and entertainment destinations owned and operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. With four locations across Michigan and Indiana, the casino group offers world-class gaming, luxury accommodations, fine dining, and entertainment experiences.
Four Winds Casinos represents one of the most successful Native American gaming enterprises in the Midwest, offering a comprehensive entertainment experience across four distinct locations. Owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, these casinos have transformed the gaming landscape in Michigan and Indiana since the opening of the flagship New Buffalo property in 2007. Each location provides a unique combination of gaming options, hospitality services, and entertainment amenities designed to attract both casual visitors and serious gaming enthusiasts.
The casino group has strategically positioned its properties to serve key markets throughout the region. The New Buffalo location capitalizes on its proximity to Chicago, while the South Bend property serves northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. The Hartford and Dowagiac locations provide convenient gaming options for local communities. This geographic distribution allows Four Winds to maintain a strong regional presence while offering consistent quality and service standards across all properties.
Understanding the Four Winds Casino network requires examining both the individual properties and the broader organizational structure that supports them. As a tribal gaming enterprise, Four Winds operates under specific legal frameworks that differ from commercial casinos. The Pokagon Band's federal recognition and gaming compacts with Michigan and Indiana provide the legal foundation for casino operations. This status allows the tribe to offer Class II and Class III gaming, including slot machines, table games, poker, and sports betting where legally permitted.
The Four Winds brand has become synonymous with quality gaming experiences in the region. Each property features extensive gaming floors with hundreds to thousands of slot machines, comprehensive table game selections, and specialized gaming areas including high limit rooms and poker rooms at select locations. Beyond gaming, the properties offer full-service hotels, multiple dining venues ranging from casual to fine dining, entertainment spaces hosting live performances, and meeting facilities for events and conferences.
Four Winds New Buffalo opened on August 2, 2007, as the first casino developed by the Pokagon Band on their reservation lands in New Buffalo Township, Michigan. This flagship property established the Four Winds brand and set the standard for subsequent locations. The casino features a distinctive architectural design with a striking stained glass entryway that has become an iconic visual element of the property.
The New Buffalo location offers the most comprehensive amenities within the Four Winds network. The gaming floor includes an extensive selection of slot machines, a full complement of table games, a dedicated sportsbook, and a high limit room for premium players. The Players Lounge provides exclusive services for valued guests, while executive hosts cater to VIP clientele with personalized attention and specialized services.
The Four Winds New Buffalo hotel provides luxury accommodations with multiple room categories and suites. Guest rooms feature modern amenities, comfortable furnishings, and convenient access to casino facilities. The hotel includes an outdoor pool for seasonal recreation, allowing guests to enjoy resort-style amenities during warmer months. Hotel packages combine accommodations with dining credits, entertainment tickets, and other value-added benefits to enhance the guest experience.
Four Winds New Buffalo offers the most diverse dining selection among all Four Winds properties. Copper Rock Steakhouse serves as the signature fine dining venue, featuring premium steaks, seafood, and an extensive wine list in an upscale atmosphere. Kankakee Grille provides a more casual dining experience with a varied menu suitable for lunch and dinner. The Buffet offers all-you-can-eat dining with rotating selections throughout the day. Timbers serves quick casual fare, while White Birch Market provides grab-and-go options, snacks, and beverages for guests on the move.
The Silver Creek Event Center serves as the primary entertainment venue at Four Winds New Buffalo, hosting concerts, comedy shows, and special events throughout the year. Recent and upcoming performances have included tribute acts, classic rock bands, and nostalgia tours featuring artists from the 1960s through the 1990s. The property also features multiple bars and lounges, including the C Bar, Pool Bar, Sportsbook Lounge, and bars within the restaurants, providing diverse atmospheres for socializing and relaxation.
Four Winds Hartford opened on August 30, 2011, as the second property in the Four Winds network. Located in Hartford, Michigan, this satellite casino serves the local community and visitors from surrounding areas. While smaller than the New Buffalo flagship, Hartford provides a complete gaming experience with slots, table games, and a sportsbook.
The Hartford property focuses on gaming and dining without hotel accommodations, making it an ideal destination for day trips and evening entertainment. The casino floor is designed for efficient navigation and comfortable gaming, with a layout that maximizes player convenience. Timbers restaurant provides dining options ranging from casual meals to more substantial fare, ensuring guests can enjoy quality food without leaving the property.
Four Winds Dowagiac opened on April 30, 2013, completing the trio of Michigan locations permitted under the Pokagon Band's compact with the state. The 2008 compact limited the tribe to three casinos in Michigan, making Dowagiac the final Michigan property before the band pursued expansion into Indiana. Located in Dowagiac, Michigan, this casino serves local residents and visitors exploring the southwestern Michigan region.
Like Hartford, the Dowagiac property operates as a gaming and dining destination without hotel facilities. The casino features slot machines, table games, and a sportsbook, providing comprehensive gaming options in a more intimate setting than the New Buffalo flagship. Timbers restaurant offers dining services, maintaining consistency with the other Four Winds locations. The property includes check cashing services and full W Players Club integration, ensuring guests receive loyalty program benefits regardless of which Four Winds location they visit.
Four Winds Casinos operates under strict regulatory frameworks established by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and state compacts with Michigan and Indiana. Each property maintains the highest standards of gaming integrity, customer service, and responsible gambling practices. The casino group has invested significantly in state-of-the-art gaming technology, security systems, and staff training to ensure exceptional guest experiences.
The development of each Four Winds location follows a strategic approach that considers market demand, accessibility, and community impact. From the flagship New Buffalo property to the expanded South Bend location, each casino is designed to serve both local patrons and destination visitors. The properties feature carefully curated gaming floors, premium dining establishments, entertainment venues, and hospitality services that compete with major commercial casino destinations.
Four Winds South Bend represents the most ambitious expansion in the casino group's history. The property opened on January 16, 2018, on lands the Pokagon Band claimed qualified for gaming under specific provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The development included not just a casino but a comprehensive tribal village encompassing housing, healthcare facilities, government offices, and commercial spaces across 164 acres.
The South Bend casino underwent significant expansion in 2022, growing to 98,000 square feet with 1,900 slot machines, making it the largest slot floor in Indiana. This expansion solidified Four Winds South Bend's position as a major gaming destination capable of competing with established Indiana casinos. The gaming floor includes comprehensive table game offerings, a dedicated poker room, a sportsbook, high limit gaming areas, and a Players Lounge for premium guests.
The Four Winds South Bend hotel tower opened on March 1, 2023, becoming the second-tallest building in South Bend. This addition transformed the property into a true resort destination with overnight accommodations. The hotel features multiple room categories and suites, an outdoor pool for seasonal use, and the Cedar Spa, which offers a full menu of spa services including massages, facials, body treatments, and wellness therapies.
Four Winds South Bend offers an impressive array of dining venues. Copper Rock Steakhouse provides the same upscale steakhouse experience as the New Buffalo location, featuring premium cuts and refined service. Edgewater Café serves casual dining with diverse menu options throughout the day. Kankakee Grille offers a mid-range dining experience with American cuisine favorites. The Buffet provides all-you-can-eat dining with extensive selections. Timbers delivers quick casual options, and White Birch Market offers convenience items and grab-and-go selections.
The South Bend property features multiple entertainment venues and bars. The C Bar provides a contemporary lounge atmosphere, while Ribbon Town offers a unique entertainment experience. Edgewater serves as both a dining venue and entertainment space. Multiple bars throughout the property, including the Casino Bar, Kankakee Bar, Copper Rock Bar, and Edgewater Café Bar, ensure guests have numerous options for socializing and enjoying beverages.
The W Players Club, also known as the W Club, serves as the loyalty program connecting all Four Winds Casino properties. Members earn points for gaming activity at any location, and those points can be redeemed for various rewards including free play, dining credits, hotel stays, and merchandise. The program features multiple tier levels, with higher tiers receiving enhanced benefits such as exclusive promotions, priority services, and invitations to special events.
The point system rewards players based on their gaming volume, with different games contributing points at varying rates. Slot machine play typically earns points based on coin-in, while table game play is rated by average bet size and duration. Members can track their points, view available promotions, and manage their accounts through the Four Winds website or mobile app. The club rules outline earning rates, redemption options, tier qualification requirements, and program terms.
All Four Winds locations offer slot machines ranging from classic reel games to the latest video slots with progressive jackpots and bonus features. Denominations span from penny slots to high-limit machines accepting larger wagers. The slot floors are regularly updated with new games to maintain player interest and provide access to the latest gaming technology.
Table games are available at all locations, with game selections varying by property size. Common offerings include blackjack, roulette, craps, and various poker variants such as Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. The New Buffalo and South Bend properties feature the most extensive table game selections, including baccarat and other specialty games. Four Winds South Bend includes a dedicated poker room with cash games and tournaments.
Sports betting is available at all Four Winds locations through dedicated sportsbooks. These facilities allow guests to wager on professional and college sports, with betting options including point spreads, moneylines, totals, parlays, and prop bets. The sportsbooks feature viewing areas with multiple screens displaying live sporting events, creating an engaging atmosphere for sports enthusiasts.
Four Winds New Buffalo and Four Winds South Bend offer comprehensive meeting and event facilities. These properties feature multiple meeting spaces with varying capacities, from intimate boardrooms to large ballrooms suitable for conferences, weddings, and corporate events. Interactive floor plans available on the Four Winds website allow event planners to visualize spaces and plan layouts.
The casinos provide full event planning services, including catering from their restaurant operations, audiovisual equipment, and dedicated event staff. Request for proposal systems streamline the booking process for group events. The combination of meeting facilities, hotel accommodations, dining options, and entertainment creates a complete package for business meetings, conventions, and social celebrations.
Four Winds properties are accessible via multiple transportation methods. All locations provide ample parking for personal vehicles. Four Winds New Buffalo and South Bend offer motorcoach programs for group transportation, with dedicated motorcoach parking and amenities. The New Buffalo property benefits from Amtrak service, with the nearby New Buffalo station providing rail access from Chicago and other cities along the line.
The casinos maintain partnerships with preferred hotel partners in surrounding areas, providing additional accommodation options when on-site hotels are fully booked or for guests preferring alternative lodging. Each property's website includes detailed maps and directions from major highways and nearby cities, ensuring visitors can easily navigate to their chosen destination.
Four Winds Casinos maintains a commitment to responsible gaming practices. The properties offer self-exclusion programs for individuals who wish to voluntarily ban themselves from casino access. Staff members receive training to identify problem gambling behaviors and provide resources to guests who may need assistance. Information about responsible gaming organizations and helplines is prominently displayed throughout the properties.
Financial services at Four Winds include check cashing, credit applications for qualified players, and front money deposit programs that allow guests to establish casino credit accounts. These services are subject to approval processes and regulatory requirements. ATMs are available throughout the properties for convenient cash access.
Four Winds Casinos has established itself as a premier gaming and entertainment destination in the Midwest through strategic property development, comprehensive amenities, and consistent service quality. The four locations offer options for every type of visitor, from day-trip gaming at Hartford and Dowagiac to full resort experiences at New Buffalo and South Bend. The W Players Club loyalty program connects the properties and rewards regular guests, while diverse dining, entertainment, and hospitality services create complete destination experiences. As a tribally owned enterprise, Four Winds contributes to the economic development of the Pokagon Band while providing employment and entertainment options throughout the region. Whether seeking gaming excitement, luxury accommodations, fine dining, or live entertainment, Four Winds Casinos delivers quality experiences across all four locations.
There are four Four Winds Casino locations: New Buffalo and Hartford in Michigan, Dowagiac in Michigan, and South Bend in Indiana. Each property offers gaming, dining, and entertainment, with New Buffalo and South Bend featuring full-service hotels.
The W Players Club is the loyalty rewards program for all Four Winds properties. Members earn points through gaming activity that can be redeemed for free play, dining, hotel stays, and other rewards. Points earned at any location can be used at all Four Winds casinos.
Four Winds South Bend has the most slot machines with 1,900 slots on its gaming floor, making it the largest slot floor in Indiana. The property expanded to 98,000 square feet in 2022.
No, only Four Winds New Buffalo and Four Winds South Bend have on-site hotels. The Hartford and Dowagiac locations focus on gaming and dining without overnight accommodations, though preferred hotel partners are available nearby.
Yes, all four Four Winds locations feature sportsbooks where guests can place wagers on professional and college sports. The sportsbooks include viewing areas with multiple screens for watching live sporting events.
Four Winds Casinos are owned and operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, a federally recognized Native American tribe. The casinos operate under tribal gaming regulations and state compacts with Michigan and Indiana.
Dining options vary by location but include Copper Rock Steakhouse for fine dining, Kankakee Grille for casual dining, The Buffet for all-you-can-eat options, Timbers for quick casual fare, and White Birch Market for grab-and-go items. South Bend also features Edgewater Café.
Four Winds South Bend features a dedicated poker room with cash games and tournaments. Other locations offer poker variants as table games but do not have separate poker rooms.
Four Winds Casinos collaborates with leading brands and organizations to enhance guest experiences.
The flagship property combines luxury hotel accommodations, extensive gaming options, fine dining at Copper Rock Steakhouse, and live entertainment at Silver Creek Event Center for a complete resort destination.
Indiana's premier gaming destination features 1,900 slot machines, comprehensive table games, poker room, sportsbook, hotel tower, Cedar Spa, and diverse dining options across 98,000 square feet.
The hotel tower at Four Winds South Bend officially opened, becoming the second-tallest building in South Bend and completing the resort transformation.
Four Winds South Bend expanded to 98,000 square feet with 1,900 slot machines, establishing the largest slot floor in Indiana.
Four Winds Casinos announced a ten-year naming rights agreement for Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium in South Bend.