Since it first opened its doors in 1993, the Lode Star Casino has been a popular choice for gamblers visiting the Fort Thompson area. With over 230 slot machines, live table poker, weekly promotions and a cool loyalty scheme, the casino facilities here are well worth a spin. Furthermore, the motel is nice and affordable and there’s a comfortable sports bar and lounge to unwind in. For a complete rundown of the complex, continue scrolling down to our Lode Star Casino Review.

In the sections to follow we’ll be providing you with an honest review of the Lode Star Casino. Starting with the games selection, we’ll look at the casino’s facilities before continuing to review the promotions and loyalty benefits. Then, we’ll offer a proper rundown of some of the attractions, the hotel, general company info, and lots more. To get fast answers to commonly asked questions, feel free to skip ahead to our FAQ section at the bottom.

Lode Star Casino: What to Expect

Fort Randall Casino 38538 East Highway 46 Pickstown, South Dakota 57367. Contact Information Tel: 605-487-7871 Tel: 800-362-6333 Website Casino Promotions. Gaming Casino size: 26,100 Slot machines: 250 Table games: 6 blackjack tables Poker: Popular three table poker room. Presentation of the Pickstown Fort Randall Casino & Hotel. Fort Randall Casino is located in Pickstown, South Dakota. The house features 350 slots, Poker games, Bingo sessions, Roulette and Blackjack. The complex has also a restaurant named Four Directions and an hotel boasting more than 50 rooms at your disposal.

Contents

Fort Randall Casino Coupons

• Lode Star Casino: What to Expect
  • Weekly Promotions
• Attractions Outside the Casino
• Frequently Asked Questions

One area where we thought the casino performed particularly well was regarding non-gambling related attractions. If you’re travelling as part of a large group with children – or perhaps with adults who aren’t into gaming – there’s a great on-site restaurant that serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and seasonal buffets; a comfortable lounge and sports bar; regular concerts, and entertainment nights. To learn more about these and other cool features, use the content navigation tool to jump ahead to the events section.

Lode Star Casino Games

Considering that it isn’t a particularly large gaming complex, the Lode Star Casino games selection is pretty well stacked. In total, there are well over 230 games, the vast majority of which are slot machines. As well as traditional slots you’ll find video slots, slots that simulate live table games, and progressive jackpot slots. Jackpot payouts can be quite substantial; some winners have walked away with top prizes of well over $100,000!

Another welcome addition in the Lode Star Casino games catalogue is live poker. At the weekend the venue invites its guests to take a seat at one of the poker tables to chance their hand and test their skills. Games here are pretty varied, so whether you’re a beginner looking to have a little fun or player with experience looking to cash in, there will be a table here for you.

• Traditional Slots
• Video Slots
• Video Poker
• Progressive Jackpot Slots
• Blackjack
• Video Blackjack

As can be seen above, the Lode Star Casino games selection has quite a lot to offer. Sure, it is weighted more heavily towards slots fans; however, the addition of live poker does mean that there’s something to keep card sharks entertained also. Plus, there a few slots that simulate the fun and excitement of live table action. Overall, though, it is fair to say that hardcore card players will probably feel more at home at a larger complex with more table games.

No Online Games at Present

Due to the strict laws and regulations currently in place in South Dakota (S.D), online gambling is prohibited. As a result, you wont find these kinds of gambling facilities at the Lode Star. However, over the last couple of years, there has been increasing pressure on S.D lawmakers to reconsider their hardline stance — and it appears as though it has worked. According to news reports, the state is preparing to amend its laws, so we could see online betting introduced in the coming months. Be sure to check back here regularly for updates.

Weekly Promotions

In addition to its casino facilities, there’s a very good selection of Lode Star Casino promotions to be redeemed. However, the only downside is, you need to be a member of the Player’s Club loyalty scheme in order to be eligible for most of the promotions. The only exceptions are the Friday hot seat prize draw and Sunday Senior’s Day. See the official site for the full promotions range.

While there are a couple of regular promotions for visitors who aren’t Player’s Club members, the vast majority of them — and the best ones in our opinion — are reserved for loyal players. One way around this is to explore other casinos nearby. The closest top venue with loads of regular promotions is the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel. Alternatively, you can sign up to the Player’s Club – learn all about it the following section.

Player’s Club Loyalty Perks

The Player’s Club loyalty scheme at the Lode Star is loaded with special perks and benefits for its members. As we mentioned in the section above, the main advantage of becoming a member is the access you get to the promotions range. Once you sign up, free slot plays, entry to huge cash prize draws, and special points multiplier deals, all become available to you. In addition, you’ll also be able to get discounted meals and promotional freebies at the restaurant and money off merchandise at the store. In order to join, enquire at the venue on your next visit and get a $5 free slot play sign up bonus!

No Sports Betting

Similar to online betting, S.D currently enforces some of the strictest rulings in the entire nation when it comes to sports betting. There was a time when us gamblers were allowed to place novelty bets on horse racing and greyhound racing, but that was many years ago. However, there has been ongoing debate in the state legislature and it appears as though an amendment to the law is becoming increasingly likely. This could mean sports betting may be reintroduced to S.D by the end of the year — be sure to check back for updates!

Attractions Outside the Casino

It’s always great when you visit a gaming complex and there are things to discover outside of the games room. We were pleased to learn that while it’s not widely renowned for being a fully equipped leisure resort, there are a few things here to keep you busy that don’t involve gambling. Keep reading down to the sections below to learn more about events, the hotel, licensing info, and more.

Motel-Style Accommodation

The Lode Star Casino offers basic, motel-style accommodation for guests. Fort Thompson is a very remote area, so there aren’t too many other options to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a modest, comfortable break from the road, the hotel here is as good an option as any. Unfortunately, there aren’t any leisure facilities such as a pool, fitness area or spa. However, when you consider considering the price, it seems fair enough.

While the Lode Star Casino and Hotel operate together under the same ownership, they aren’t located on the same complex, which can cause some confusion! The casino is located on Highway 47 heading north where it joins back up with Highway 34. The hotel is on the 47 heading North East; if you hit Shelby’s convenience store, you’ve gone too far! If you get lost, just ask around and locals will point you in the right direction.

Some On-Site Attractions

As we mentioned briefly earlier, Fort Thompson is in a very remote area, so there are no major tourist attractions nearby. It’s a good thing, then, that there are some Lode Star Casino events to keep visitors entertained. On occasion, you’ll find live music and comedy nights in the bar and lounge area. Enquire directly at the venue to see if the entertainment is family friendly. The bar and lounge also has pool, darts, an old-school jukebox, and a big screen tv where you can watch live NFL, MLB and other major sporting events.

General Company Info

The Lode Star Casino and Hotel is a multi-purpose gaming complex that’s long been a popular spot for gamblers passing through the small town of Fort Thompson. Despite its location and size – it’s rather small compared to some of the other all-purpose gambling complexes in S.D – the Lode Star has a Class III license, so gamblers can enjoy a wide selection of slot machines in addition to live poker at the weekend.

It’s worth mentioning that the Lode Star does a very good job of keeping its followers up to date with jackpot payouts at the casino! And with regular payouts — some of which have surpassed $100,000 — it has definitely had its fair share of winners. To stay informed with all that’s going on at the venue, visit the Facebook page and official site regularly. Both platforms can be accessed using the links in the table above.

A Solid Gaming Destination

We’ve made it to the conclusion section of our Lode Star Casino review! That means it’s time for our honest, final round-up. All things considered, the Lode Star is a very solid gaming destination. It boasts over 230 varied slot machines and live poker at the weekends, so there’s something for card sharks and reel spinners. Plus, there’s a healthy selection of promotions and perks for loyal members. When you throw in the affordable hotel accommodation and on-site events, it’s clear the Lode Star has a lot to offer. Head back to the homepage to discover more top casinos in S.D!

Frequently Asked Questions

Now the testing is over it’s time for the FAQ section of our Lode Star Casino review. It’s here where we attempt to provide quick answers to questions that we often get asked by our readers and tie up any loose ends. If you still have a query that hasn’t been answered here or in the main review, feel free to use the contact tab and send us an email directly.

Is the Lode Star Casino in the same place as the hotel?

No – this question often comes up! Despite operating under the same ownership, the casino and hotel are not located on the same site. However, they are just around the corner from one another. For more precise travel details, skip back up to the hotel section.

Are there any casino promotions?

Yes. There is a very healthy selection of promotions at the Lode Star but you have to be a member of the loyalty scheme in order to be eligible for most of them. To learn more about the deals on offer, skip back up to our promotions section.

Fort Randall Casino Facebook

Are there leisure facilities at the hotel?

Unfortunately, not. The hotel here offers simple, motel-style accommodation at low prices, so it’s ideal for visitors travelling on a budget. The Royal River Casino and Hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub, but it is a bit of a trek away.

How do I sign up to the Player’s Club?

To sign up to the Lode Star loyalty scheme you need to enquire directly at the casino on your next visit. Members get full access to the promotions range, a $5 free slot play sign up bonus, and more cool perks! See the Lode Star Player’s Club section for more details.

Does the casino offer live table games?

Yes. Thanks to its Class III license, the Lode Star games catalogue isn’t just limited to the 230 or so slot machines in the games room. At the weekend, the venue hosts live poker games. There are high and low stakes tables as well as tables for beginners. To, see the full games selection head back up to the Lode Star games paragraph.

Proudly owned and operated by the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, this all purpose gaming resort has loads to offer keen bettors. With over 350 slot machines, classic live table games, and regular weekend bingo, it’s a real gaming haven. To learn more about the gaming facilities, and loads more, look no further than our Fort Randall Casino and Hotel review!

In the sections to follow we’ll be conducting a full review of the gaming complex and its facilities. Sparing no attention to detail, we’ll look at the promotions and loyalty benefits, the accommodation and dining options, licensing info, and plenty more. If you’re looking for quick answers to common questions asked by our readers, feel free to skip to the FAQ section.

What to Expect at the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel

Contents

• What to Expect at the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel
  • Daily Promotions
• Unique On-Site Attractions
• Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Randall is located just outside of Pickstown, a very remote area midway between South Dakota and Nebraska. There are hardly any major tourist attractions nearby, so it’s a good job there are a few things going on at the venue itself. To learn more about some of the cool events taking place here, skip down to the section on on-site attractions using the content navigation tool. You can use the tool to jump ahead to any chapter in the review.

Fort Randall Gaming Resort Casino Games

The Fort Randall Casino and Hotel games selection is very well balanced. Slots fans will be extremely pleased to learn that there are over 350 slot machines with varying coin denominations. There are progressive jackpot slots, some of which offer some really huge payouts; classic vegas style slots; and more complex, up-to-date video slots. Big Red, a larger than life, three reel slot that stands over 7ft tall, is a real crowd favourite.

All the card sharks among our readers also have good reason to get excited: the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel games catalogue includes live table games! Traditional versions of poker and blackjack are found here, with tournaments and meetings taking place fairly regularly. If this wasn’t enough, there’s a roulette wheel and jackpot bingo every weekend! Take a look at the full games offering in the list element below!

• Traditional Slots
• Video Slots
• Progressive Slots
• Live Poker
• Bingo
• Roulette

Fort Randall Casino Promotions Reservations

The full list of Fort Randall Casino and Hotel games shown above gives you a good idea of the games facilities on offer. The massive selection of slots and solid range of traditional table games – not to mention weekend bingo – means there really is something for all types of gamers to enjoy here. Adding to this, the varying coin denominations on the slots and high and low priced buy ins on the table games means that players of all budgets are catered for.

No Online Games at Present

The strict laws and regulations currently in place in the state of South Dakota (S.D) unfortunately means that there is no online betting available at Fort Randall. This has been the case for some time now, so if you ever see a gambling operation offering online bets where real money transactions are taking place, it’s probably not a legal, licensed enterprise. If there are any changes to the law, which is looking increasingly more likely in the year 2020, we’ll be the first to know, so check back here for official updates.

Daily Promotions

After having conducted our initial assessment, we were extremely pleased to see that Fort Randall Casino and Hotel promotions are easy to come by. As well as regular blackjack tournaments on Monday evenings where progressive jackpots are common, you’ll also find happy hour drinks deals during the week and at the weekend, and random prize giveaways from time to time.

We also found The Randall to be particularly generous when it comes to hot seat cash draws. There are a couple of random picks during the week where lucky winners get to walk away with some decent cash prizes. To stay on top of the casino promotions range, make sure you visit the official weekly promotions page on the website!

A Few Loyalty Benefits

Known as the Player’s Club, Fort Randall’s loyalty scheme offers plenty of ways to redeem benefits. It’s a fairly straight forward accumulative system where the more you play, the more points you gain, and the more rewards you ultimately receive. You can earn points by playing on the slots, live tables, and at bingo and, most importantly, it’s completely free to join. Among the benefits are free slot plays; cash back schemes; money off meals, accommodation, and concert tickets; invitations to exclusive events and tournaments, and lots more.

No Sports Betting

At this moment in time, sports betting is outlawed in S.D, so you won’t find any services of this kind at the Fort Randall. However, there has been significant debate in the state senate of late; it appears as though there may be a change in the law some time soon. If this occurs, we may see fully licensed and regulated sports betting introduced in the not too distant future. Be sure to check back regularly for official updates – Fort Randall may be one of the first venues to take advantage of the new laws!

Unique On-Site Attractions

As previously mentioned, Fort Randall is in a very remote location, so there’s not so much on offer with regard to major tourist attractions. It’s just as well, then, that there a handful of unique, on-site attractions to keep visitors entertained. To learn about some of these – as well as info about the hotel and licensing – continue down to the following sections.

Affordable Hotel Accommodation

If you’re travelling on a budget, the Fort Randall is definitely your best accommodation option in the area. Conversely, if you want to splash out a little, there are a couple of suites available with a more deluxe feel. Overall, though, it’s a fairly basic room and board deal; there are no leisure facilities such as a pool, spa, or fitness room.

Due to its location, the Fort Randall can be a bit tricky to reach. The closest airport is Sioux Falls Regional, which is about 141 miles away, so you’ll probably want to consider renting a car for when you land. By car – depending on where you’re coming from – you can use the Interstate 90 and the Interstate 29 to join onto connecting roads that will lead you toward Pickstown.

Experience Native Culture & More

When it comes to on-site attractions that don’t involve gambling, the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel events offering is very good. There are some really cool live music events and a lounge with a large screen where you can watch the latest NFL and live sporting action. There are also a number of cultural events held throughout the year where you can learn more about the local Sioux tribe and Native American culture. Visit the official events page and learn more about what’s coming up. On a side note, the restaurant is said to have a great buffet – check it out on your next visit!

General Company Info

The Fort Randall Casino and hotel has been proudly owned and operated by the Yankton Sioux Tribe since it first opened its doors back in 1991. Its license means that visitors can enjoy a huge range of games facilities, which includes over 350 slot machines, live table games, and bingo, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition to all the games on offer, we’ve also spoken about some of the events and attractions held at Fort Randall. To stay up to date with all that’s going on, follow the link in the table above to the official website, or use the link to the official Facebook page. Both platforms do a great job of keeping prospective visitors and regulars in the know.

The Final Verdict

We’ve reached the penultimate section of our Fort Randall Casino and Hotel review, so it’s time for that all important final verdict. Despite its remote location, the venue really does have a lot to offer. The games selection is huge, so no matter whether you’re a card shark, a fan of the slots or a bingo player, there’s loads for you to enjoy here. Plus, there are plenty of events to keep you entertained while you stay, and the accommodation is reasonably priced and comfortable. The Randall definitely gets our seal of approval! Head back to the homepage for more reviews of top casinos in S.D.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve made it to the final stage of our Fort Randall Casino and Hotel review – thanks for staying with us! If you have any more queries about the venue, there’s a very good chance you’ll find the answer in the following FAQ section. If not, use the contact tab and send us an email!

What’s the legal gambling age at the casino?

At the Fort Randall and all throughout the state of S.D, the legal age to gamble in the casino is 21. Minors are, however, allowed to take part in bingo games. They must be 18 and accompanied by somebody over 21. For more information on licensing, see our general company info section.

Fort Randall Casino Entertainment

Is there any live music?

Yes. You’ll often find live music events and some small concerts taking place throughout the year. You can check out the events section above, or go directly to the official events page to see what’s coming up.

How many slot machines are there?

Lots! There are over 350 titles in the games room with varying coin denominations. You’ll find video slots, progressive jackpot slots, Vegas style slots and more. Head up to the casino games section and explore the full catalogue!

Fort Randall Casino Promotions Casino

Is there a pool in the hotel?

Unfortunately, not. Leisure facilities are missing from the hotel; it’s pretty much a basic room and board style arrangement. You could try the Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort,but it’s a fair trek away.

Where is the casino located?

Fort Randall Casino Hotel

The closest town is Pickstown, which is right on the Missouri River on the border of South Dakota and Nebraska. It’s a remote location, so it can be difficult to reach. Refer to our hotel info section for more details.