Our Trip to North Dakota

I’ll admit it. I don’t really like growing old. So, I’ve decided that I’m not going to do it. Instead, I’m going to embrace my “maturity,” and locate and use all the discounts and other perks I can think of that are available to me because of my “senior” age. Youth may be wasted on the young, but I’m not wasting a single senior discount if I can help it.

On that note, Dakota Magic Casino and Hotel in North Dakota was running a “Senior Monday” promotion, which resulted in free coins for the slot machines, and some free food at their buffet and restaurant. Not a bad deal at all. And the room rates for Sunday and Monday were surprisingly low.

Of course, the hotel isn’t a five star resort (they don’t have a spa or swimming pool), but you can get a room with a hub tub in it. And there is a golf course (only open when it’s warm enough to play). Still, it’s not bargain basement either. You get a coffee maker in the room, and complimentary bottled water for example. But no mint on your pillow with turn down service (overrated in my experience anyway).

The first thing I did before I began gambling was to sign up for their player’s club. Every casino seems to have one these days. Their club, true to the theme of the hotel, is called the “Magic Rewards Club.” I received all my free promotions through my magic card.

There are two entrances to the casino. One is from the outside, for patrons who don’t stay at the hotel. The other one is through a large lobby area that connects to the hotel through a long hallway. As I understand it, then entire layout will change in the summer of 2018 when they finish their remodeling and expansion. Until then, it seems like quite a trek to get from your room to the gambling. It’s good exercise, at any rate.

They have slot machines, and a few table games (only six tables if memory serves). There will be more after the remodel. They also have a separate poker room, which I did not test out. I was perfectly happy to sit at the slot machines, where I was lucky enough to win some nice jackpots. Enough to cover the cost of the trip, so I was a happy camper.

No Hotel and Casino complex would be complete without a buffet, and Dakota Magic Casino Resort is no exception. Don’t expect anything fancy. It’s fine for buffet food, but let’s just say I wouldn’t make the trip there just to dine.

They have a separate restaurant (The Double Down Grill) and a sports bar (Dakota Winds Clubhouse Bar & Grill), if you’re not into the buffet. There’s a snack bar near the casino, but I don’t think I would count that as a dining option. Soft drinks are complimentary in the casino, but you have to pay for booze. Other than that, you’re out of luck. In fact, there isn’t another restaurant around for miles, so you’d better make the best of what’s available. The Exit 1 Lounge was not open when we were there, so I assume it’s part of the remodel.

The room was fairly basic, but clean and comfortable. Since it was snowing when we were there, the view from our room was actually quite pretty. If not for the snow, however, it would have been quite ordinary. But you don’t go to a casino resort to stay in the room.

There are dozens of casinos strewn across the Midwest, usually (if not always) associated with a Native American Indian tribe. The United States government recognizes 568 tribes as sovereign nations and their lands as sovereign lands, and therefore they can have gambling if they wish. The minimum age is still 21, however, for live gaming. The Dakota Magic Casino is associated with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe.

Although lacking the glitz and glamour that is Las Vegas, the Dakota Magic Casino still had plenty to offer. And considering the short commute, as well as the bargain prices and perks, it was definitely worthwhile. But don’t take my word for it. Jump in that car, and go!