Nation | Tribe: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
3000 Prairie Ave
South Bend, IN 46614
866-4WINDS1
866-494-6371
Four Winds Casino in South Bend has a total of 216,000 square feet consisting of the casino, a poker room, players lounge, five restaurants and three bars. The gaming space is 175,000 square feet and is open 24 hours daily.
Four Winds Casino South Bend celebrated its grand opening on January 16, 2016. It cost 400 million to build and is the largest casino in Indiana.
This is the fourth casino owned and operated by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and their first located outside of southwest Michigan.
The casino is built on 166 acres located between Prairie Avenue, U.S. 31 and Locust Road in South Bend, Indiana.
Four Winds Casino South Bend opened in 2016 as a Class II casino operating electronic gaming machines and poker. There were no table games or sportsbook.
In late 2019 Four Winds Casino South Bend announced plans to build a 23-story hotel tower. It is expected to open in early 2023. See details
In January 2021 a gaming agreement was reached between Gov. Holcomb and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The agreement allows Four Winds Casino to add Vegas-style slot machines, table games and a sportsbook and authorizes more than double its number of gaming machines. See details
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When the state legislature approved land-based casinos in 2015, it included a provision to approve an Indian casino in South Bend.
In April 2016 the South Bend city government approved a deal with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to build a $400 million casino in their town. An environment impact report was finished for federal review and accepted.
The key milestone to proceed with this casino project came in November 2016 when the Bureau Of Indian Affairs gave its approval. Their decision transfered 166 acres of Pokagon Band land into federal trust under the U.S. Interior Department and included federal approval to build build a Class II gaming casino.
The federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) defines Class II gaming as gambling played against other players only and not the house. This includes electronic slot machines that play against other players. Slot machines that play against the house are Class III gaming.
In 2021 the Pokagon Band negotiated a Class III gaming compact with the State to allow Vegas-style slot machines, table games and a sportsbook. The tribe. in turn, will pay a percewntage of revenues to the state.
The Pokagon Band has named their casino "Four Winds Casino South Bend". It is the first Native American casino in Indiana.
Open 24 hours daily
216,000 sq ft facility
175,000 sq ft of gaming space
1,400 electronic slot machines (Class II) - denominations $.01 to $25
Poker room - 12 tables, tournaments
NEW GAMING IS COMING IN 2021
The gaming compact between Indiana and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is adding Vegas-style slot machines, table games and a sportsbook. It will also increase the number of gaming positions from 1,412 to 3,403. See details
Copper Rock Steakhouse
The Buffet
Kankakee Grill
Timbers
White Birch Market
Bars - 3
A new 23-story, 317-room hotel tower will open in late 2021. Details
44 housing units
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August 10, 2021
Four Winds Casino introduced Vegas-style Class III gaming to its casino in South Bend, Indiana this week. After a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Gaming Authority and Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb, casino guest could play the new Vegas-style slot machines or 16 table games including blackjack and roulette.
Over the next few months all 1,400 slot machines at Four Winds Casino will be converted to Class III machines. Class III table games will include baccarat, blackjack, craps, keno and roulette. Sports betting is also expected to be added.
Construction is underway at Four Winds Casino South Bend to add 40,000-square feet of gaming floor in early 2023. This will provide capacity to expand the number of gaming positions from 1,412 to 3,403.
Class III games are played against the house. Since opening in January 2018, Four Winds Casino South Bend has operated with a Class II license which pays jackpots from player losses rather than the house. The new Class III gaming is authorized by a gaming compact signed by Gov. Holcomb ratified by Indiana General Assembly last May. Final approval was granted by the U.S. Department of Interior in early July.
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May 8, 2021
Governor Eric Holcomb finalized a Class III Gaming Compact with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi in ceremonial signing Tuesday at Howard Park. The signing follows the approvals of the legislature and the U.S. Department of Interior.
Class III gaming is sometimes referred to as Vegas-style gaming where games are played against the house rather than against other players. (See Class II vs Class III).
The compact allows Four Winds Casino in South Bend to add Vegas slot machines, table games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, keno and roulette, and an onsite sportsbook. The number of gaming position is now increased from 1,412 to 3,403.
The state agrees not to license any new casinos within the 16 northern Indiana counties. In turn the tribe will pay the state 8% of the casino's gross revenues and pay 2% to South Bend.
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March 30, 2021
Since the state-tribe gaming compact for the Four Winds Casino was announced last January, additional information has revealed that one of the provisions requires Indiana to protect Four Winds from future competition by prohibiting any new casino to be built within a 50-mile radius of the South Bend casino. This "buffer zone" includes 16 northern Indiana counties.
In exchange the state will receive 8% of the casino's income and South Bend will receive 2%. However, if the state allows the Hammond or Michigan City casinos to relocate or if the state licenses a new casino in northern Indiana, this revenue-sharing provision becomes void and a new agreement must be negotiated.
The gaming compact has been approved by the Governor and State Senate and is expected to pass the House later this month. It will become effective after the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs reviews the agreement and grants its approval.
For details on the gaming compact, see the
new story below.
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January 23, 2021
Four Winds in South Bend will soon be offering Vegas-style slot machines and table games as the result of signing a gaming compact with Gov. Holcomb.
Tribal-State Gaming Compact Summary
Four Winds Casino is authorized to operate Vegas-style slot machines, baccarat, mini-baccarat, blackjack, craps, keno, poker, roulette, pai gow, klondike, Big Six wheels, sic bo and sports wagering. Sports betting is limited to the casino property.
Four Winds Casino is authorized up to 3,403 gaming positions at Four Winds (same as Horseshoe Casino in Hammond).
Four Winds Casino must limit player age to 21.
Four Winds Casino will pay 8% of its slot machine revenues to the state for an exclusivity agreement that "freezes" state gaming law within 50 miles of South Bend.
The compact becomes effective following ratification by the Indiana General Assembly and approval by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
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December 22, 2020
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians has been negotiating with the Indiana Gaming Commission for a gaming compact to allow Vegas-style slot machines, table games and sports wagering at the Four Winds Casino in South Bend. Negotiations began in August 2019 and an agreement is expected within a few weeks.
The Four Winds Casino currently operates under Class II gaming rules of the National Indian Gaming Commission. The casino has 1,600 bingo-style slot machines and a 10-table poker room. A gaming compact with the state is necessary for Four Winds to offer the same casino games as Indiana's state-licensed casinos.
The executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, Sara Tait, has indicated the gaming compact is near but not finished. "Negotiations are in a very late stage but there is not currently an executed compact," she said.
A negotiated compact will need ratification by the General Assembly and final approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
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October 7, 2019
Last week the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced the addition of a High Limit gaming room at their Four Winds Casino in South Bend.
Four Winds South Bend published a press release on Sep 27:
There are 30 high limit games that offer a wide range of betting options. The high limit area includes a private jackpot processing area along with popular games such as Double Diamonds, Triple Stars, Triple Butterfly 7's, Dancing Drums, Eagle Bucks, and Crystal Star Deluxe.
The new high limit room is located off the casino floor in the space previously occupied by the Outfitters Gift Shop.
Four Winds South Bend is also taking steps to add sports betting and to expand other gaming options by negotiating a gaming compact with the State of Indiana. That process is in its early stages and if successful could happen as soon as 2020.
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September 14, 2019
Rendering of future hotel at Four Winds South Bend
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians will build a 23-story hotel tower at their Four Winds Casino in South Bend, IN. It will be the largest hotel in the Michiana area of northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan.
The new hotel will be built adjacent to the casino and offer 317 rooms, including 83 suites. Amenities will include penthouse suites, spa, lounge, bar and grille, roof top swimming pool, view terraces, ballroom, convention area and meeting space.
The hotel project was announced last Wednesday by tribal leaders, casino management and the Pokagon Gaming Authority, which oversees the management and operations of the tribe's gaming enterprises.
Construction will begin later this year and take two years to complete.
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September 2, 2019
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, owners of Four Winds Casino South Bend, would like to change the casino's gaming from Class II to Class III. The casino currently offers bingo-type slot machines and live poker where players win against other players rather than the house. Class III gaming would allow Vegas-style slot machines and table games, such as blackjack, baccarat, craps and roulette.
Their tribal chairman, Matthew Wesaw, has contacted Gov. Eric Holcomb to express this interest and to request they renegotiate the gaming compact between the tribe and the state.
It is reported the governor is interested in the idea and recognizes the revenue potential for the state. Four Winds currently pays nothing to the state as a Class II casino. The casino pays the city of South Bend 2% of its annual revenues up to $1 million.
The governor is expected to create a committee to negotiate the new gaming compact. The committee will likely be headed by Sara Tait, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission. A new compact would also have to be ratified by General Assembly and approved by the U.S. Department of Interior.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi own three Class III casinos in Michigan where they pay the state 6% of net gaming revenues and pay 2% to the local governments.
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September 04, 2018
The Four Winds South Bend Casino has opened the new live poker room. The room had a soft opening during Labor Day weekend.
There are 10 poker tables that offer live gaming. Video poker was already offered at the casino.
Guests had requested a live poker room be added to the casino. The announcement that the casino would develop the poker room was made two months ago.
There are no plans at this time to add blackjack or other table games. This is due to the gaming license that was granted to the casino. It is a Class II casino. Therefore, games where visitor bet against the house are not allowed.
The Four Winds South Bend Casino is owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
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July 10, 2018
On Tuesday plans were announced for the addition of a new gaming room that will offer live poker. The casino currently offers bingo type electronic gaming machines.
The room will offer 10 tables. It will be located in the casino's northwest corner at the current slot machine location. Up to nine players can be accommodated at each poker table.
Construction is scheduled to begin next week. It is estimated that by Labor Day the new room will be completed.
Games to be offered are $1 to $3 pot Limit Omaha, $1 to $2 No-Limit Texas Hold 'em, $3 to $6 Limit Hold 'em, and $2 to $5 No Limit Hold 'em.
No other plans for additional live dealer games have been announced.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Four Winds South Bend is classified as a Class II gaming facility. This means that special permission would need to be given before the casino could offer games like baccarat or blackjack where players bet against the house.
Poker is considered a different type of game since players are playing against other players.
The Four Winds South Bend currently offers 1,800 games. Bets range from a penny to $25.
There are also five dining options. Three bars. The Four Winds Outfitters offers gift shopping.
The reason behind the addition of the new room is to offer a different amenity to their guests. Visitors have been requesting the addition of poker.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians own the Four Winds South Bend.
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January 14, 2018
Five years ago plans were announced for the Four Winds South Bend Casino. Now the casino finally opened on January 16.
Located south of Prairie Avenue, the site is 166 acres. It is 175,000 square feet. The casino floor makes up 55,000 square feet. There is also four restaurants and three bars.
This is the first Native American owned casino in Indiana.
The design features a Native American inspired basket weave design. There is a large atrium and fireplace located near the entrance.
The casino operates 1,800 gaming machines. There is a non smoking area for slot machine gaming. There is also a gaming area that allows smoking that is divided with a glass door.
Two percent of the casinos net winnings will be paid to South Bend. The city has been guaranteed a minimum of $1 million in payments a year. Of that money the city's common council will receive 1 percent. The redevelopment commission for the city will receive the rest.
Community projects and organizations will receive $5 million over 3 years.
Possible future plans include a 500 room hotel that will be 18 stories. There could also be a nightclub and center for events.
Over 300 construction jobs and 1,200 casino jobs have been created by the project.
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