Michigan: Kewadin Casinos to lower its land-based gaming age limit to 18

Kewadin Casinos announced that starting Wednesday, March 30, all its five tribal gaming properties in Michigan will lower their gaming age limit from 19 to 18. This does not affect the minimum gaming age of the online casino and sports betting, which is regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. That limit will remain at 21 years of age. 

According to the tribal gaming compact that the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, owner of the Kewadin Casinos properties, has with the state of Michigan, the casinos have had the ability to lower their age limit as low as 18 at any time. 

As reported by Upper Michigan Source, Allen Kerridge, Kewadin Casinos Chief Executive Officer, stated: “The decision to now lower the gaming age limit to 18 is a decision that gives all legal adults access to gamble at their casinos and this change will allow us to be consistent and competitive with those casinos”. 

Several procedures were implemented in 2006 to prevent underage gaming and drinking, back when the age limit was lowered to 19. These procedures will now include those 18 years of age. All properties have a podium located at each entrance where identifications are checked. Those customers under the age of 21 are identified, security maintains a log to track individuals that are under that age. All Kewadin servers and bartenders are trained through a “TIPS” program to identify and prevent underage drinkers. 

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians owns and operates Kewadin Casinos in Sault Ste Marie, St. Ignace, Hessel, Manistique and Christmas. They currently offer 2,002 slot machines, 25 table games, hotels, dining and other amenities at five properties in Michigan’s eastern and central Upper Peninsula.