Northern Lights Casino Review

With six other SIGA casinos in the Saskatchewan area, we found it crucial to examine Northern Lights Casino’s position among these esteemed establishments. Known for its First Nations theme, we aimed to determine if its gaming experience matched the reputation.

Continue reading as we unveil the extensive gaming opportunities available, discuss the exclusive perks that come with rewards cards, and provide our genuine, expertise-based perspective after visiting Northern Lights Casino in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Northern Lights Casino Ratings

Table of Contents

• The Process Behind Northern Lights Casino's Ratings and Reviews
• Slot Machines – 5/5
• Casino Games – 2.5/5
• Staff & Service – 4/5
• Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5
• Casino Atmosphere – 3.5/5
• House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5
• Player Feedback – 3.7/5
• Operator – 5/5
• Northern Lights Casino Competitors
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Northern Lights Casino
• Is Northern Lights Casino Worth a Visit?

The Process Behind Northern Lights Casino's Ratings and Reviews

Our rating and review methodology is built by seasoned experts with extensive experience in casino environments. A cornerstone of our approach is personal visits to every physical casino we evaluate.

This approach is why we can offer insights that stand out from other reviews. Our firsthand interactions with the Northern Lights Casino staff and time spent on the casino floor enable us to assess the ambiance and service quality.

Our Inspection of Northern Lights Casino

• Date of visit: 10/21/2023
• Time of visit: 7 PM – 1 AM
• Initial bankroll: C$100
• Games We Tried: VLT roulette, the slot machines, and blackjack
• Final bankroll: C$184
• Next visit: 10/30/2023

What we looked at

A combination of numerous criteria informs our rating. We evaluate highly objective aspects like game variety, game types, and the availability of progressive jackpots. Additionally, our rating considers subjective elements, including the casino's environment, location, and its specific house rules.

What we found

Slot Machines – 5/5

Northern Lights Casino impressively holds its own in the competitive casino scene of Saskatchewan with hundreds of slot games supplied by numerous developers, including those with massive progressive jackpots.

Slot Games We Experienced at Northern Lights Casino

We kicked things off with Jinse Dao, drawn by its vibrant colors and animations. We then attempted our luck with the Smoke Signals Jackpot but didn’t succeed. Our slot journey concluded with Crown Egypt, quenching our thirst for Egyptian-themed slots. fantasy-themed slots Slot Machine Availability at Northern Lights Casino

Northern Lights Casino boasts around 600 slot machines, with betting options ranging from 0.01 to 1.00. The Smoking Room itself houses approximately 200 of these machines.

The slot machines at Northern Lights Casino only accept cash notes and rewards cards.

Do slot machines accept coins?

Slot machine providers

• IGT
• Bally
• Konami

Local progressive jackpots

Table gaming is somewhat limited at Northern Lights Casino. It offers live poker and blackjack tables, while roulette enthusiasts can play via VLT machines located in a section named The Circuit.

Casino Games – 2.5/5

VLT machines start at a modest C$2.00, while live tables have minimum bets ranging from C$5 to C$15, with maximum limits set at either C$100 or C$300.

Game types

• Roulette
• Blackjack
• VLT machines : Blackjack, roulette, poker

Betting limits

Is betting at the highest table limits available to all players, or is VIP access required?

Yes, the table limits are available to all players without the need for VIP access.

Visitors to Northern Lights Casino have three dining choices. The Northstar Restaurant provides a traditional casino dining experience, offering snacks, main courses, and a limited selection of beers and wines.

Staff & Service – 4/5

Food & Drinks

Pricing is affordable, with a substantial burger costing C$18, and steak being the priciest item at just over C$20.

What is the tipping custom at Northern Lights Casino?

Northstar Restaurant

• Sun – Wed: 9 AM – 8 PM
• Thurs – Sat: 9 AM – 9 PM

Northstar Restaurant Buffet

• Thu – Sat: 5 PM – 8 PM

Kookum’s Kitchen

• Every day: 11 AM – 2 AM

Deli & Bar

• Every day: 11 AM – 2 AM

Are complimentary drinks available at Northern Lights Casino?

10% is a minimum but 15 – 20% is typical.

No, the casino does not offer free drinks during table games or slot play.

Yes, a value-oriented buffet is available at Northstar Restaurant from Thursday through Saturday, priced at C$24 per person, operating between 5 PM and 8 PM.

Abundant free parking is available right at the entrance of the casino, with hundreds of spaces and even more in the overflow areas. Northern Lights also allows RV parking for up to three days with extendable permits.

Parking

Although Northern Lights Casino lacks an in-house hotel, a 2-star Holiday Inn Express is conveniently located next door, with rooms priced around C$90 per night, including a complimentary breakfast.

Accommodation

Smoking is permitted outdoors or in the Smoking Room, where many slot games are also located.

Are there smoking areas?

Security measures are what you would expect from a reputable SIGA casino.

Security

Upon entry, we were required to show ID, and the presence of CCTV cameras in the casino floor corners provided a sense of safety.

Loyalty & Rewards – 5/5

Using a free Players Club rewards card, patrons earn points redeemable for casino free play. For every 1,000 points, you receive C$5 in free play. The rewards card is also valid at other SIGA-operated casinos.

To get started with the Players Club at Northern Lights Casino:

What you get

• Free slot play
• Member-only promos
• 10% off entertainment
• 10% off dining

How to register in the program

1. Complete a registration form and present your ID
2. Ask to sign up for a players reward card
3. Receive your Players Club rewards card
4. Northern Lights Casino stands out with its unique theme, striving to honor its tribal heritage.

Casino Atmosphere – 3.5/5

Inside Northern Lights Casino

Featuring a native theme, Northern Lights Casino incorporates wooden elements, tepees, and walls designed to echo the Saskatchewan wilderness, even in dining areas that replicate tribal architecture.

Design experience

Is photography permitted inside Northern Lights Casino?

You can take photos of the dining experience and concerts, but photography is not allowed at live gaming tables.

The North Saskatchewan River is just a short 5-minute drive north of the casino, providing beautiful winter vistas. Nearby, visitors will find splendid golf courses and a few additional amenities, though the immediate area mostly comprises auto dealerships and shops.

Location and surroundings

Is a passport necessary for a visit to Northern Lights Casino?

No, any form of government-issued ID suffices. For international travelers, using a passport might be advisable if verifying a national ID’s authenticity is a concern.

Northern Lights Casino features a renowned concert venue that has hosted prominent artists like comedy sensation Gabriel Iglesias, Australian musician Colin Hay, classic rock bands Warrant and Winger, along with a variety of hip hop, country, and rock performers.

Events

The operational hours for Northern Lights Casino are daily from 9 AM to 4 AM.

House Rules (T&Cs) – 4/5

When is Northern Lights Casino open?

Does Northern Lights Casino have an entrance fee?

Is a reservation always necessary to play at Northern Lights Casino?

No, entry into the casino is free.

Is membership mandatory at Northern Lights Casino?

No, you can just turn up and play.

Membership at Northern Lights Casino is not required, with the exception of the optional rewards card. No card is needed to play.

With no set dress code, Northern Lights Casino maintains a casual dress environment. Patrons may wear T-shirts, shorts, jeans, and open-toed shoes, while attire deemed offensive or gang-related is understandably restricted.

Dress code

Unique Rules at Northern Lights Casino

We did not encounter any peculiar or unique rules at this casino.

Over 1,100 reviews of Northern Lights Casino are available on Tripadvisor and Google.

Player Feedback – 3.7/5

The reviews are largely positive, focusing on the excellent customer service and dining experiences.

Many new players praised the helpful staff and enjoyed the buffet. Most negative feedback was dated and no longer reflected the current status of the casino.

Google – 4/5

Overall, customers were satisfied with the service and buffet offerings, with some expressing opinions that the casino's size and focus on slots could be expanded.

Tripadvisor – 3.5/5

The casino is owned by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA), a fully non-profit organization, donating all profits back into the Saskatchewan community. SIGA, incorporated under the Non-Profit Corporation Act 1995, has been operational since 1995.

Most common issues

• High slot-to-table game ratio

Operator – 5/5

Who owns Northern Lights Casino?

To begin with, Northern Lights remains competitive against

Other casinos by the same operator

• Bear Claw Casino
• Dakota Dunes Casino
• Gold Eagle Casino
• Gold Horse Casino
• Living Sky Casino
• Painted Hand Casino

Contact info

Northern Lights Casino Competitors

. Saskatchewan hosts a total of seven casinos, well-distributed regionally. The nearest two casinos to Northern Lights are over 160 km apart. online casinos in Canada Northern Lights Casino vs. Dakota Dunes Casino

Dakota Dunes Casino mirrors Northern Lights in slot numbers, but stands out with a high-limit room and private game reservations, along with its impressive 'Teepee of Light' feature.

Dakota Dunes Casino is ideal for high-limit table gaming

This casino offers a high-limit room with baccarat and blackjack tables, also featuring private areas for EZ Baccarat and semi-private spaces for blackjack and Squeeze EZ Baccarat.

Northern Lights Casino Review - A Top SIGA Casino Experience?

Explore our Northern Lights Casino review to uncover details about the huge jackpots, dining experiences, and everything you need to know before visiting.

With six other SIGA casinos in Saskatchewan set as its rivals, it felt like it was about time to discern where Northern Lights Casino stands among these renowned establishments. Celebrating a distinct First Nations vibe, we wanted to investigate if their gaming lives up to expectations.

Stay with us as we unveil the extensive gaming options at your disposal, highlight the various benefits of their rewards card, and deliver our candid, expert-driven insight into our premiere visit to Northern Lights Casino in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Evaluation and Review Criteria for Northern Lights Casino

Advantages and Disadvantages of Northern Lights Casino

Is Northern Lights Casino Worth Your Visit? Our seasoned team of reviewers, boasting decades of collective expertise in the casino industry, crafted our rating and review methodology. A core element is ensuring we personally visit each land-based casino we assess, providing authentic analyses. .

Advantages and Disadvantages of Northern Lights Casino

Pros

• This allows us to deliver insights and details that other reviews may miss. For instance, we evaluated the ambiance and service quality through direct interactions with the Northern Lights Casino staff and experiencing the casino floor firsthand.
• Has a dedicated smoking gaming area
• Low minimum bets on VLT machines
• Our process for evaluating Northern Lights Casino

Cons

• Very few live table games to play
• Minimum table bet can be C$15

Is Northern Lights Casino Worth a Visit?

Games Played: Virtual Lottery Terminal (VLT) roulette, slot machines, blackjack

Our ratings are determined based on a variety of criteria. While we consider objective metrics like game diversity, game types, and progressive jackpots, we also take into account subjective aspects such as overall atmosphere, the setting, and house rules.