Northern Wisconsin Casinos

While Milwaukee, Green Bay and Wisconsin Dells feature large Vegas or near-Vegas style casinos, northern Wisconsin communities like Tomah, Odanah, and Lac du Flambeau have growing casinos that cater to residents and travelers alike. Generally speaking, northern Wisconsin casinos are less crowded, with faster service, and with clientele that give you a true flavor of the warm hearts of Wisconsin residents. Here are some suggestions for those looking for big winnings without big cities:

Lake of the Torches Resort and Casino: 510 Old Abe Road, Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538; 1800 25-TORCH; from US-51 take WI Hwy. 47 West

About 40 miles northwest of Rhinelander, nestled among a picturesque chain of ten lakes lies the secluded Lake of the Torches Resort and Casino. The casino is attractively decorated in an authentic Native American theme and features almost 900 ticket-in/ticket-out slot machines starting at two cents on the general casino floor and includes high-limit slots in the Bear's Den. The casino features twelve blackjack tables open nearly all day and bingo six days per week.

They offer a frequent players' reward program, the Torchlight Club, which offers redemption for jewelry, appliances and electronics.

The complex also features more than 100 luxurious hotel rooms (rates begin at $100 with discounts for Torchlight members), a small bar, a 24-hour buffet, and a food court. The nearby area is well-known for fishing, hiking, biking, and boating.

This facility is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Table gaming has limited hours, see website for details.

Lac Courte Oreilles Casino, Lodge, and Convention Center: 13767W Cty. Rd. B, Hayward, WI 54843; 1 800 LCO-CASH; East of Hayward at the intersection of Cty. Rds. B &K

Just east of the quaint logging town of Hayward, Lac Courte Oreilles Casino features more than 700 slots from pennies to dollars, video poker, and keno. The facility also has eight blackjack tables, and roulette and craps tables. However, patrons should be forewarned that these specialty games are only available during peak gaming times (afternoons and evenings).