Lode Star Casino

1. Lode Star Casino Fort Thompson
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• Lode Star Casino and Hotel in Fort Thompson, South Dakota has a 27,300 square foot casino floor with 231 slot machines, three table games, poker and hotel. Open Monday - Thursday 8am-2am and on Friday - Sunday 8am-4am. Address Lode Star Casino Highway 34 and Highway 47 Fort Thompson, South Dakota 57339. Contact Information Tel: 605-245-6000.

Lode Star Casino, Ft. Thompson, SoDak, Fort Thompson, SD. 1,568 likes 9 talking about this 2,996 were here. Welcome to Fort Thompson, home of Lode Star Casino! Our town may be small, but big. Lode Star Casino gaming, entertainment, dining and accomodations. 1 dining options, player rewards program.

The Crow Creek Indian Reservation (Lakota: Kȟaŋğí Wakpá Oyáŋke^[1]) is located in parts of Buffalo, Hughes, and Hyde counties on the east bank of the Missouri River in central South Dakota in the United States. It has a land area of 421.658 square miles (1,092.09 km²) and a 2000 census population of 2,225 persons. The major town and capital of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is Fort Thompson.

The town is located adjacent to the Big Bend Dam, which holds back Big Bend Reservoir (also known as Lake Sharpe), one of the four Missouri Mainstem reservoirs constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in the Pick-Sloan Plan. Authorized in 1944 for flood control and hydropower, the dam and lake were completed in the 1960s.

History[edit]

The people of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe are mostly descendants of the Mdewakanton Dakota Tribe of the south and central Minnesota, who settled on the reservation after escape or exile from Minnesota following the Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota. Some Yankton and lower Yanktonai Dakota also reside on the reservation. Although considered to be a part of the Great Sioux Reservation by some writers, the Crow Creek Reservation, established in 1862, has always been separate.

The reservation originally included bottomlands along Missouri, which had been farmed previously by Mandan and Arikara, and others prior to these tribes. The peoples were decimated in smallpox and other epidemics in the 18th century. Today several former Mandan and Arikara villages are archaeological sites located within the Crow Creek Reservation.

Within the reservation are two pre-contact archeological sites that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. Fort Thompson Mounds is an archeological site from c. 800, with evidence of some of the first pottery makers on the plains. The Crow Creek Massacre Site has revealed evidence of fierce conflict between Native American cultures about 1325 AD, likely when they were competing for resources at a time of climate and habitat change.^[2][3]

The development of Lake Sharpe following completion of the Big Bend Dam flooded much of this land, forcing relocation of Fort Thompson and other settlements. Loss of the most productive, fertile bottomlands worsened the economic conditions in the area. Allotment and land sales reduced the amount of land in both tribal and Indian ownership, and the size of the Reservation was reduced by governmental action between its establishment in 1862 and modern times.

The reservation and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is organized into three districts. The tribe runs its own school, the Crow Creek Tribal Schools system, with an elementary school at Fort Thompson and a K-12 boarding and day school at Stephan, approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Fort Thompson. Most of the tribe's land is leased to a few large ranching families. Unemployment is high.

The tribe operates the Lode Star Casino and Hotel, attracting tourists to the reservation; as well as to the archaeological sites, Lake Sharpe's fishing and boating, and casual travelers. The reservation is located southeast of Pierre and north of Chamberlain. It is reached via South Dakota Highway 47 or South Dakota Highway 50 off Interstate 90, or via South Dakota Highway 34 east from Pierre.

The Lower Brule Indian Reservation is located on the west bank of the Missouri River, directly across from the Crow Creek Reservation.

In 2002 a monument was dedicated at Big Bend Dam. The Spirit of the Circle Monument honors the more than 1,300 people who died of malnutrition and exposure over a three-year period in the 1860s at the reservation following the forcible removal of the Santee Dakota to this site, which resulted from their defeat in the Dakota War of 1862,^[4] and Winnebago, forcibly removed to this site from Minnesota at the same time. Conditions were so bad that the Winnebago and many of the Santee fled to new homes down the Missouri River, resulting in the creation of the Santee Indian Reservation and Winnebago Indian Reservations in Nebraska.

Tribal information[edit]

• Reservation: Crow Creek Reservation; Buffalo, Hyde, and Hughes counties
• Division: Santee, Yankton
• Bands: Mdewakanton (People of Spirit Lake), Ihanktonwan (People of the End)
• Land Area: 125,591 acres (508.25 km²)
• Tribal Headquarters: Fort Thompson, SD
• Time Zone: Central
• Traditional Language: Dakota
• Enrolled members living on reservation: 1,230
• Major industry: Agriculture

Government[edit]

• Charter: None; Constitution and Bylaws: Yes
• Date Approved: April 26, 1949
• Name of Governing Body: Crow Creek Sioux Tribal Council
• Number of members: six (6) council members
• Dates of Constitutional amendments: February 25, 1963, June 23, 1980, February 4, 1986
• Number of Executive Officers: (1) Chairman

Elections[edit]

Lode Star Casino Fort Thompson

• Election of all six council members and the Chair are held every two years on the third Tuesday in April. The Chairman is elected at large by all districts. Tribal Council elects from within a Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
• If terms of office are staggered: No
• Number of Election districts or communities: 3

Council Meetings[edit]

• Regular meetings are held once a month.
• Quorum number: 4 members

Notable tribal members[edit]

• Oscar Howe (1915–1983), Yanktonai, modernist painter. Howe was born on the Crow Creek Reservation. Throughout his life, he received many honors, including the title Artist Laureate of South Dakota. Howe created a legacy of cultural heritage and pride. More than 20 Oscar Howe originals are on display at the Oscar Howe Art Center in Mitchell, South Dakota.
• Elizabeth Cook-Lynn taught Native American Studies for 20 years before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of two novels and a collection of short stories. She edits the Wicazo Sa (Red Pencil) Review, an international Native American studies journal. She is also a traditional dancer on the powwow circuit. Cook-Lynn grew up on the Crow Creek Reservation.
• Crow Creek is where Shawn Hawk, world-rated professional boxer, has some roots.
• Vernon Ashley was the oldest member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Ashley died at 99 in November, 2015. He had an extensive knowledge of Native American laws and treaties, as well as the Sioux language. Ashley helped in developing the constitution by-laws (red book) that the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe uses today.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^Ullrich, Jan, ed. (2011). New Lakota Dictionary (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Lakota Language Consortium. p. 900. ISBN978-0-9761082-9-0. LCCN2008922508.
2. ^Bamforth, Douglas and Curtis Nepstad-Thornberry, 2007. 'Reconsidering the Occupational History of the Crow Creek Site (39BF11)', Plains Anthropologist 52 (202:153-173).
3. ^Gregg, John B. and Pauline Gregg, 1987. Dry Bones: Dakota Territory Reflected. University of South Dakota Press: Vermillion.
4. ^Melmer, David (June 19, 2002). 'Dakota sacrifice honored'. Indian Country Today. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-27.

References[edit]

• Environmental Assessment, Crow Creek Tribal School, Nathan A. Barton, Wasteline, Inc. 2004.
• Crow Creek Reservation, South Dakota United States Census Bureau

External links[edit]

• Crow Creek Reservation, official website
• 'Crow Creek: Stolen Lands, Wind Farms and Taking a Stand for the People'^{[permanent dead link]}, NDN News, 19 December 2009

Coordinates: 44°07′44″N99°28′26″W / 44.12889°N 99.47389°W

Since it first opened its doors in 1993, the Lode Star Casino has been a popular choice for gamblers visiting the Fort Thompson area. With over 230 slot machines, live table poker, weekly promotions and a cool loyalty scheme, the casino facilities here are well worth a spin. Furthermore, the motel is nice and affordable and there’s a comfortable sports bar and lounge to unwind in. For a complete rundown of the complex, continue scrolling down to our Lode Star Casino Review.

In the sections to follow we’ll be providing you with an honest review of the Lode Star Casino. Starting with the games selection, we’ll look at the casino’s facilities before continuing to review the promotions and loyalty benefits. Then, we’ll offer a proper rundown of some of the attractions, the hotel, general company info, and lots more. To get fast answers to commonly asked questions, feel free to skip ahead to our FAQ section at the bottom.

Lode Star Casino: What to Expect

Contents

• Lode Star Casino: What to Expect
  • Weekly Promotions
• Attractions Outside the Casino
• Frequently Asked Questions

One area where we thought the casino performed particularly well was regarding non-gambling related attractions. If you’re travelling as part of a large group with children – or perhaps with adults who aren’t into gaming – there’s a great on-site restaurant that serves up breakfast, lunch, dinner, and seasonal buffets; a comfortable lounge and sports bar; regular concerts, and entertainment nights. To learn more about these and other cool features, use the content navigation tool to jump ahead to the events section.

Lode Star Casino Games

Considering that it isn’t a particularly large gaming complex, the Lode Star Casino games selection is pretty well stacked. In total, there are well over 230 games, the vast majority of which are slot machines. As well as traditional slots you’ll find video slots, slots that simulate live table games, and progressive jackpot slots. Jackpot payouts can be quite substantial; some winners have walked away with top prizes of well over $100,000!

Another welcome addition in the Lode Star Casino games catalogue is live poker. At the weekend the venue invites its guests to take a seat at one of the poker tables to chance their hand and test their skills. Games here are pretty varied, so whether you’re a beginner looking to have a little fun or player with experience looking to cash in, there will be a table here for you.

• Traditional Slots
• Video Slots
• Video Poker
• Progressive Jackpot Slots
• Blackjack
• Video Blackjack

As can be seen above, the Lode Star Casino games selection has quite a lot to offer. Sure, it is weighted more heavily towards slots fans; however, the addition of live poker does mean that there’s something to keep card sharks entertained also. Plus, there a few slots that simulate the fun and excitement of live table action. Overall, though, it is fair to say that hardcore card players will probably feel more at home at a larger complex with more table games.

No Online Games at Present

Due to the strict laws and regulations currently in place in South Dakota (S.D), online gambling is prohibited. As a result, you wont find these kinds of gambling facilities at the Lode Star. However, over the last couple of years, there has been increasing pressure on S.D lawmakers to reconsider their hardline stance — and it appears as though it has worked. According to news reports, the state is preparing to amend its laws, so we could see online betting introduced in the coming months. Be sure to check back here regularly for updates.

Weekly Promotions

In addition to its casino facilities, there’s a very good selection of Lode Star Casino promotions to be redeemed. However, the only downside is, you need to be a member of the Player’s Club loyalty scheme in order to be eligible for most of the promotions. The only exceptions are the Friday hot seat prize draw and Sunday Senior’s Day. See the official site for the full promotions range.

While there are a couple of regular promotions for visitors who aren’t Player’s Club members, the vast majority of them — and the best ones in our opinion — are reserved for loyal players. One way around this is to explore other casinos nearby. The closest top venue with loads of regular promotions is the Fort Randall Casino and Hotel. Alternatively, you can sign up to the Player’s Club – learn all about it the following section.

Player’s Club Loyalty Perks

The Player’s Club loyalty scheme at the Lode Star is loaded with special perks and benefits for its members. As we mentioned in the section above, the main advantage of becoming a member is the access you get to the promotions range. Once you sign up, free slot plays, entry to huge cash prize draws, and special points multiplier deals, all become available to you. In addition, you’ll also be able to get discounted meals and promotional freebies at the restaurant and money off merchandise at the store. In order to join, enquire at the venue on your next visit and get a $5 free slot play sign up bonus!

No Sports Betting

Similar to online betting, S.D currently enforces some of the strictest rulings in the entire nation when it comes to sports betting. There was a time when us gamblers were allowed to place novelty bets on horse racing and greyhound racing, but that was many years ago. However, there has been ongoing debate in the state legislature and it appears as though an amendment to the law is becoming increasingly likely. This could mean sports betting may be reintroduced to S.D by the end of the year — be sure to check back for updates!

Attractions Outside the Casino

It’s always great when you visit a gaming complex and there are things to discover outside of the games room. We were pleased to learn that while it’s not widely renowned for being a fully equipped leisure resort, there are a few things here to keep you busy that don’t involve gambling. Keep reading down to the sections below to learn more about events, the hotel, licensing info, and more.

Motel-Style Accommodation

The Lode Star Casino offers basic, motel-style accommodation for guests. Fort Thompson is a very remote area, so there aren’t too many other options to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a modest, comfortable break from the road, the hotel here is as good an option as any. Unfortunately, there aren’t any leisure facilities such as a pool, fitness area or spa. However, when you consider considering the price, it seems fair enough.

While the Lode Star Casino and Hotel operate together under the same ownership, they aren’t located on the same complex, which can cause some confusion! The casino is located on Highway 47 heading north where it joins back up with Highway 34. The hotel is on the 47 heading North East; if you hit Shelby’s convenience store, you’ve gone too far! If you get lost, just ask around and locals will point you in the right direction.

Some On-Site Attractions

Lode Star Casino Restaurant

As we mentioned briefly earlier, Fort Thompson is in a very remote area, so there are no major tourist attractions nearby. It’s a good thing, then, that there are some Lode Star Casino events to keep visitors entertained. On occasion, you’ll find live music and comedy nights in the bar and lounge area. Enquire directly at the venue to see if the entertainment is family friendly. The bar and lounge also has pool, darts, an old-school jukebox, and a big screen tv where you can watch live NFL, MLB and other major sporting events.

General Company Info

The Lode Star Casino and Hotel is a multi-purpose gaming complex that’s long been a popular spot for gamblers passing through the small town of Fort Thompson. Despite its location and size – it’s rather small compared to some of the other all-purpose gambling complexes in S.D – the Lode Star has a Class III license, so gamblers can enjoy a wide selection of slot machines in addition to live poker at the weekend.

It’s worth mentioning that the Lode Star does a very good job of keeping its followers up to date with jackpot payouts at the casino! And with regular payouts — some of which have surpassed $100,000 — it has definitely had its fair share of winners. To stay informed with all that’s going on at the venue, visit the Facebook page and official site regularly. Both platforms can be accessed using the links in the table above.

A Solid Gaming Destination

We’ve made it to the conclusion section of our Lode Star Casino review! That means it’s time for our honest, final round-up. All things considered, the Lode Star is a very solid gaming destination. It boasts over 230 varied slot machines and live poker at the weekends, so there’s something for card sharks and reel spinners. Plus, there’s a healthy selection of promotions and perks for loyal members. When you throw in the affordable hotel accommodation and on-site events, it’s clear the Lode Star has a lot to offer. Head back to the homepage to discover more top casinos in S.D!

Frequently Asked Questions

Now the testing is over it’s time for the FAQ section of our Lode Star Casino review. It’s here where we attempt to provide quick answers to questions that we often get asked by our readers and tie up any loose ends. If you still have a query that hasn’t been answered here or in the main review, feel free to use the contact tab and send us an email directly.

Is the Lode Star Casino in the same place as the hotel?

No – this question often comes up! Despite operating under the same ownership, the casino and hotel are not located on the same site. However, they are just around the corner from one another. For more precise travel details, skip back up to the hotel section.

Are there any casino promotions?

Yes. There is a very healthy selection of promotions at the Lode Star but you have to be a member of the loyalty scheme in order to be eligible for most of them. To learn more about the deals on offer, skip back up to our promotions section.

Are there leisure facilities at the hotel?

Lode Star Casino

Unfortunately, not. The hotel here offers simple, motel-style accommodation at low prices, so it’s ideal for visitors travelling on a budget. The Royal River Casino and Hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub, but it is a bit of a trek away.

How do I sign up to the Player’s Club?

To sign up to the Lode Star loyalty scheme you need to enquire directly at the casino on your next visit. Members get full access to the promotions range, a $5 free slot play sign up bonus, and more cool perks! See the Lode Star Player’s Club section for more details.

Lode Star Casino Fort Thompson

Does the casino offer live table games?

Yes. Thanks to its Class III license, the Lode Star games catalogue isn’t just limited to the 230 or so slot machines in the games room. At the weekend, the venue hosts live poker games. There are high and low stakes tables as well as tables for beginners. To, see the full games selection head back up to the Lode Star games paragraph.

Lode Star Casino Sd