Tucked into the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley just 40 miles from the Twin Cities, Treasure Island Casino has a reputation that precedes it. It’s Minnesota’s self-described premier entertainment destination: but does the experience hold up in 2026? This review takes a hard look at the gaming floor, hotel, dining, entertainment, and real player experiences to give you an honest picture of what to expect.
Treasure Island Casino: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Treasure Island Resort & Casino |
| Location | 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN 55089 |
| Ownership | Prairie Island Indian Community |
| Opened | 1984 (as Island Bingo); renamed 1995 |
| Gaming Space | 150,000–200,000 sq ft |
| Slot Machines | 1,800+ |
| Table Games | 40–47 |
| Hotel Rooms | 788 (2nd largest hotel in Minnesota) |
| Restaurants | 9–11 on-site |
| Distance from Twin Cities | ~40 miles |
| Open | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
History and Ownership
Treasure Island Casino began as a modest 1,400-seat bingo hall called Island Bingo in 1984. Over four decades, it grew into one of the Midwest’s largest resort casino destinations. The property is owned and operated by the Prairie Island Indian Community, an Indigenous nation with deep ties to the Mississippi River region of Minnesota.
In 1995, the property was officially renamed Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and it has undergone numerous expansions since, including the Island Event Center and Island Xtreme Bowl in 2008, Tado Steakhouse in 2015, The Lagoon indoor waterpark and Wave Spa in 2016, the Wolf Tower in 2017, and a full remodel of the Buffalo Tower completed in 2026 with modern furnishings and elevated room amenities.
Treasure Island Casino is the largest employer in Goodhue County, Minnesota.
Gaming Floor at Treasure Island Casino
Slot Machines
Treasure Island Casino currently offers 1,800+ slot machines across a gaming floor spanning up to 150,000 square feet. The selection includes:
- Classic three-reel and five-reel video slots
- Progressive jackpot games
- High-limit slot machines
- Video poker terminals
- Electronic keno machines
- Pull tabs (a Minnesota staple)
The slot floor is continuously updated with new titles from major gaming suppliers. Players who enjoy variety in their slot experience will generally find Treasure Island well-stocked.
Table Games
The table games section at Treasure Island Casino includes up to 47 tables offering:
| Game | Notes |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | 30+ tables; multiple variants |
| Poker | 6 live tables in a dedicated poker room |
| Three Card Poker | Yes |
| Other Carnival Games | Yes |
| Bingo | Daily matinee and evening sessions |
| Pull Tabs | Available throughout |
Treasure Island Casino is notably home to the largest selection of Class II Table Games in Minnesota — a distinction that sets it apart from some state competitors.
Bingo
The bingo hall at Treasure Island is a genuine draw for fans of the game. Daily sessions run at both matinee and evening times, with “Bingo Gone Wild” featuring a live DJ, prizes, and a more festive atmosphere.
Poker Room
The dedicated poker room at Treasure Island Casino features 6 live tables. Players can participate in regular cash games and tournaments. For serious poker players, the room may feel smaller than dedicated cardrooms, but it offers a solid experience within a resort setting.
Hotel: Treasure Island Casino’s 788-Room Resort
The hotel at Treasure Island Casino is the second-largest hotel in the state of Minnesota, making it a notable destination beyond just gambling.
Tower Options
The resort features three distinct hotel towers:
- Eagle Tower: Well-reviewed for spacious, comfortable rooms
- Wolf Tower: Opened 2017; modern design and premium amenities
- Buffalo Tower: Fully remodeled in 2026; updated furnishings and elevated room quality
Guests generally find the rooms clean, spacious, and comfortable, with pillow-top beds and standard resort amenities. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.
Room Rates and Packages
Treasure Island Casino typically offers competitive room rates for a resort of its size, especially compared to metropolitan Twin Cities hotels. Packages combining hotel stays with dining credits or gaming offers are frequently available.
Dining at Treasure Island Casino
Treasure Island Casino features up to 11 on-site dining options across a range of styles:
| Restaurant / Venue | Style |
|---|---|
| Tado Steakhouse | Signature steakhouse; opened 2015 |
| Currents Restaurant | Casual all-day dining |
| Buffet | Classic rotating selection |
| Nine Bars and Lounges | Including swim-up bar at The Lagoon |
| Coffee Shops (x2) | Light bites and beverages |
Tado Steakhouse is consistently recognized as one of the region’s better steakhouse experiences, making it a dining destination in its own right for guests staying at or visiting Treasure Island Casino.
The swim-up bar at The Lagoon indoor waterpark adds a fun, vacation-style dining element that distinguishes the property from many inland Midwest casino resorts.
Entertainment and Attractions
Treasure Island Casino offers a wider range of entertainment amenities than most regional casino resorts in the Midwest:
Live Entertainment
- Island Event Center: Indoor venue with capacity for up to 2,800 guests; hosts national touring artists and major events
- Treasure Island Amphitheater: Outdoor venue with an impressive 16,000-person capacity; summer concert series featuring major acts
Water and Recreation
- The Lagoon: Indoor waterpark with multiple slides, pools, and the popular swim-up bar
- Wave Spa: Full-service spa offering massages, body treatments, and salon services
- Marina: Dockage on the Mississippi River
- Spirit of the Water: A 100-passenger cruise ship on the Mississippi
- Island Xtreme Bowl: Full bowling alley on-site
- Cyber Quest: Arcade gaming for all ages
- Golf Course: On-site course with scenic views of the Mississippi River Valley
This range of non-gaming amenities is a genuine competitive advantage for Treasure Island Casino — few Midwest regional casinos can match this breadth of on-property activities.
Rewards Program at Treasure Island Casino
Treasure Island Casino operates a player rewards program through its Island Club card. Points are earned through slot play, table games, and bingo, and can be redeemed for:
- Free play credits
- Dining discounts
- Hotel stays
- Entertainment tickets
Regular players report the rewards program to be straightforward, though like most regional casino loyalty schemes, it rewards volume players most generously.
Real Player Experiences: What Visitors Are Saying
Positive feedback from guests consistently highlights:
- The resort atmosphere, especially The Lagoon and outdoor pool areas
- Tado Steakhouse as a standout dining experience
- Spacious and well-maintained hotel rooms (particularly the Wolf Tower and newly remodeled Buffalo Tower)
- The variety of entertainment beyond gaming
- Friendly and generally attentive staff
- The unique setting near the Mississippi River bluffs
Common criticisms include:
- Slot machines can feel tight on payouts on certain nights (a common casino complaint, but noted frequently here)
- The Lagoon waterpark is not always open (it reportedly operates on limited hours/days during slower periods)
- Parking and navigating the resort can be busy on weekends and summer evenings
- Some visitors note the buffet has declined in quality over the years compared to earlier impressions
Is Treasure Island Casino Worth the Drive From Minneapolis?
For Twin Cities residents and visitors, the roughly 40-mile drive (about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic) to Treasure Island Casino is a manageable day trip or weekend getaway. The combination of gaming, a full waterpark, a concert amphitheater, multiple dining venues, and riverfront access gives Treasure Island a value proposition that few single-day casino trips can match.
Compared to the downtown Minneapolis tribal casinos (Mystic Lake being the primary competitor), Treasure Island Casino generally wins on entertainment variety and overall resort experience, though Mystic Lake has a larger gaming floor.
Treasure Island Casino vs. Competitors in Minnesota
| Feature | Treasure Island | Mystic Lake | Grand Casino Mille Lacs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from Twin Cities | ~40 miles | ~25 miles | ~90 miles |
| Hotel Rooms | 788 (2nd in MN) | 766 | 284 |
| Slots | 1,800+ | 4,000+ | 1,600+ |
| Indoor Waterpark | Yes (The Lagoon) | No | No |
| Amphitheater | Yes (16,000 capacity) | Yes | No |
| Signature Steakhouse | Yes (Tado) | Yes | Yes |
| Golf Course | Yes | Yes | No |
Final Verdict: Big Wins or Overrated?
Treasure Island Casino is neither a guaranteed jackpot destination nor an overrated resort. It’s a well-developed, multi-amenity entertainment complex that genuinely delivers on the resort promise — particularly for visitors who want more from a trip than just the gaming floor.
The 2026 Buffalo Tower remodel, the consistently strong live entertainment lineup, and the uniqueness of The Lagoon and Mississippi River Marina all contribute to a resort experience that holds up well compared to regional competitors.
For pure slot volume, Mystic Lake edges it out. But for a full weekend getaway where gaming, dining, live music, and water attractions all feature, Treasure Island Casino remains one of the Midwest’s most compelling all-in-one destinations.
