Published on: February 3, 2026, 11:58 AM.
Updated on: February 3, 2026, 11:58 AM.
- The Bay Mills Resort & Casino in Michigan has successfully completed its expansion.
- The brand-new hotel and resort features were opened to guests on January 31.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, has unveiled its revamped facilities.
After five years of planning, the tribal resort nestled on Waiska Bay, at the southeastern shore of Lake Superior, officially inaugurated its extended facilities on January 29. This significant investment has introduced an additional 135 guest rooms and suites, alongside new recreational amenities such as a spa, an indoor pool with a splash pad, saunas, hot tubs, a fitness center, an arcade, and diverse dining options.
“This milestone enhances our guest experience and signifies a new era of luxury, entertainment, and pride for the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan,” stated General Manager Richard LeBlanc of the resort.
“This expansion represents the result of years of dedication, a shared vision, and the strength of our community,” noted Whitney Gravelle, President of the Bay Mills Indian Community. “BMIC has consistently been a pioneer in gaming, and we are thrilled to continue this legacy with our new facilities.”
Gaming Leader Faces Challenges
Gravelle’s assertion holds weight, as the Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) has historically played a significant role in Michigan’s tribal gaming scene. It was among the initial native nations to secure a Class III gaming compact with the state of Michigan in 1993, enabling them to operate Las Vegas-style slot machines and table games.
However, in recent years, Bay Mills Casino has struggled to keep pace with its competitors among Michigan’s tribal casinos, largely due to its remote location and harsh, snowy winters, which present challenges against the more accessible casinos in the Lower Peninsula.
According to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, Bay Mills Resort & Casino reported approximately $18.7 million in gross gaming revenue for 2024. The casino features around 600 slot machines, a dozen table games, and a DraftKings Sportsbook. BMIC’s gaming revenue ranked last among the 12 tribes engaged in Class III gaming within Michigan, while the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and its three casinos topped the list with $329.7 million in revenue.
It’s worth mentioning that online gaming and betting activities conducted by third-party partners with the tribes are regulated by state laws and are therefore not included in tribal gaming revenue reports.
Resort Features
In addition to the gaming options and the hotel, which now boasts a total of 270 rooms, Bay Mills offers a 124-site RV park, an 18-hole Wild Bluff Golf Course, and four dining establishments and bars.
During the lengthy winter season, characterized by an average snowfall of about 100 inches annually, Bay Mills Resort Casino provides opportunities for snowmobiling. Hiking trails around the golf course are also accessible for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
In the summer, visitors can explore nearby attractions such as Tahquamenon Falls, Soo Locks, and the Pt. Iroquois Lighthouse.