Proudly owned and operated by the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe, East Wind Casino is the second gaming complex under the group’s ownership. The first is Prairie Wind, which is somewhat regarded as the bigger sister of the two. At East Wind you’ll find a solid collection of slot machines, regular promotions and loyalty benefits, and on-site dining. Continue reading the following sections as we break down all the nitty gritty details in our East Wind Casino review.
The following review will serve as your complete guide to the East Wind Casino. As we progress we’ll be taking a close look at the games selection, promotions, loyalty benefits, licensing details, and plenty more. By the time we’re done, you’ll know all there is to know about the venue! To skip ahead and get fast answers to questions we are often asked, be sure to refer to the FAQ section at the bottom.
East Wind Casino: What to Expect
Contents
East Wind Casino is flanked by the Pine Ridge Reservation to the East and the Rosebud Reservation to the West. This unique location means that its surrounded by the stunning natural surroundings of the South Dakota (S.D) Prairie. In addition, there are lots of cultural and historic landmarks to explore. To learn more about some of the non-gambling related activities in the area, skip ahead to the paragraph on alternative attractions using the content navigation tool above.
East Wind Casino Games
The East Wind Casino games collection is not as extensive as its sister venue, Prairie Wind. East Wind is considerably smaller and houses about 120 slot machines. The collection includes lots of Vegas-type slot machines as well as some video slots and progressive jackpot slots. The venue does a pretty good job of making sure the collection remains varied and up to date, and all games are tested for fairness by the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.
Unfortunately, the East Wind Casino games collection doesn’t include any live table games. There are a few slot machines that recreate the live table experience, so you can enjoy simulated versions of poker and keno; however, gamblers looking for the real thing will be disappointed. The same also applies for bingo. For a quick overview of the complete games catalog, take a glance at the list element shown below.
- Traditional Slots
- Video Slots
- Progressive Jackpot Slots
- Video Poker
As can be seen from the list element above, the East Wind Casino games catalog is quite small, especially when compared to its sister venue. If you’re a slots fan, or you don’t mind simulated versions of live table games, there’s enough here to stimulate the senses. However, if you’re an avid card player looking for exciting, live table action, we’d suggest visiting the Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel.
No Online Games
Strict laws and regulations currently in operation in S.D means that no form of online gambling is permitted at land-based casinos. There are a minute number of venues that allow online gaming, but this is only for niche, adventure-style games and no real money transactions will be taking place. If online betting is your thing, we advise you hold off and check back here for regular updates. Recent reports suggest the law may be changing soon, so we may see online betting in S.D sooner than we think!
East Wind Casino Promotions
East Wind Casino does a great job of making sure there are some fun, lucrative promotions in the casino for visitors to enjoy. Throughout the month, you’ll find plenty of hot seat cash giveaways that reward substantial jackpot prizes. There are also some special events such as Senior’s Day, a slots event for over 55’s, where additional prizes are up for grabs. However, in order to be eligible for most of these, you need to be signed up to the loyalty scheme.
From time to time you will also find some great prize draws that offer more than just cash. Cars, holidays, tickets to cool events, and more have often been on the list of giveaways here. A great way to stay up to date with new monthly promotions is via the official website, which posts regular notifications and reports when new deals are upcoming.
Shooting Stars Loyalty Program
Here at East Wind loyal, regular players are invited to take advantage of some great perks and rewards via the Shooting Stars loyalty scheme. It’s a points-based system where the more points you earn, the more rewards you can claim. First and foremost, card holders gain access to the full range of promotions on offer. In addition, you can exchange points for cash, and even use the points you’ve earned at the Prairie Wind, and vice versa, which operates the same loyalty scheme! To sign up, enquire directly at the venue on your next visit.
No Sports Betting
Similar to online betting, strict laws currently in operation in S.D means that sports betting is severely restricted. The only bets permitted are bets on horse racing events that are held in the state and there are just a handful of venues that are licensed. In addition, the overall offering is very thin. However, this could all be changing soon as the state is planning to vote on whether sports betting should become a fully licensed, regulated enterprise. To avoid missing out on the latest news, check back here regularly for updates.
Natural & Cultural Attractions
East Wind is located in the Southwest of S.D in between the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations. As a result, it’s flanked by some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the region. The Black Hills and S.D Badlands are both within touching distance, as are a few unique, cultural and historic landmarks. To learn more about some of the non-gambling related attractions in the area, keep scrolling down to the sections below.
No Overnight Accommodation
Unlike its Prairie Wind counterpart, there is no overnight accommodation for visitors at East Wind. In addition, it’s in a very remote area, so there aren’t a great deal of options around. If you’re looking for affordable, comfortable overnight digs, we recommend Prairie Wind. It’s a bit of a drive away, (about 75 miles) but it has a wide range of rooms, leisure facilities, and great dining facilities on-site.
Despite its remote location, East Wind is quite easy to reach if you’re traveling by road. You have a few options; it connects nicely with the Interstate 90, 25, 80, and 29, so depending on which way you’re coming from, it won’t be too hard to find. By air, the nearest public use airport is the Rosebud Sioux, which is just over 50 miles away. For your convenience, it’s probably best you rent a car for when you land.
Explore the South Dakota Prairies
Aside from the restaurant that serves hot meals and seasonal buffets, there aren’t too many non-gambling related East Wind Casino events or attractions. However, staying here presents a great opportunity to experience the South Dakota Prairie in all its glory. Explore small museums and heritage centers and get an honest, sobering insight into the rich culture and history of the local Sioux tribes. Take a drive and watch endless, lush, rolling grasslands disappear behind stunning sunsets. Additionally, the Badlands National Park is about 60miles north; there are more museums and cultural attractions here also.
General Company Info
| Owner: | Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe |
|---|---|
| Phone Number: | (605) 685-1140 |
| Gaming License Class: | Class II |
| Number of Games: | Over 120 |
| Hours: | 24/7 |
| Opened: | 2012 |
| Website: | East Wind Casino |
| Social Media: | Not available |
East Wind first opened back in 2012, 8 years after its sister venue, Prairie Wind. After the initial success of the first venue, which has proven to be a standout gaming and entertainment complex in southwestern South Dakota, tribal owners decided to introduce a second, smaller venue not too far away. Both casinos are proudly owned and operated by the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe and remain committed to providing meaningful employment opportunities for First Nations people.
In comparison to its sister casino, East Wind is a small, fairly limited gaming complex. Its Class II license means that the casino facilities are limited to the 120 or so slot machines on the gaming floor — table games and bingo are not housed here. It is, however, open 24/7. In order to stay up to date with new promotions, loyalty benefits, lucky winners and new editions to the games room, be sure to visit the official website.
Small Slot-Based Casino
To round things up, we’ll simply say East Wind Casino is not quite as impressive as it’s sister venue. The selection of slot machines is quite good and there are lots of promotions and loyalty benefits up for grabs. However, without any table games, overnight accommodation, or on-site attractions, its pretty limited in its scope. For a more complete, exciting gambling and entertainment experience, it’s worth taking the trip up route 18 to Prairie Wind. If you enjoyed our East Wind Review, head back to the homepage and discover more casinos in S.D!
Frequently Asked Questions
Thanks for making it down to the final section of our East Wind Casino review! We’re sure we’ve done a good job of offering a fair, balanced review of the venue and highlighted all its positive and negative features. If you still have some questions, make use of the FAQ element in the section below. Alternatively, use the contact tab and send us an email directly.
Are there any dining options?
Yes. There is a small restaurant that serves hot meals throughout the day. During peak seasons there are banquet-style buffets that, by all accounts, are pretty outstanding. To learn more about some of the non-gaming related activities on-site, check out the alternative attractions paragraph.
Are there promotions here?
Yes. Despite having limited casino facilities, there are plenty of games promotions here. The range includes cash giveaways, prize draws, and plenty more. The website does a good job of reporting on regular winners via the website. To learn more, skip back up to the promotions section.
Is there a hotel here?
Unfortunately, no. There’s no hotel here and, because of its remote location, there aren’t too many other options in the area. For recommendations on where to stay while you’re here, skip back up to our hotel section and see what’s out there.
Where is East Wind?
East Wind is located in Southwestern South Dakota close to the border with Nebraska. It’s in a very remote area; however, it connects nicely with the Interstate 90, 25, 80, and 29, so it’s surprisingly easy to get to by road. For more detailed info, head back up to our venue information section.
Are there loyalty perks?
Yes. In addition to a solid range of casino promotions, visitors will find a very good loyalty program. It’s a points-based system where the more you play, the more rewards you’re entitled to. The program is called Shooting Stars: it’s the same as the one in operation at the sister venue, Prairie Wind. For more info, refer to the loyalty program section.