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
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
| Hotel Rooms | 50 rooms |
|---|---|
| Price per Night: | $50 – $75 |
| Pool: | Not Available |
| Room Service: | Not Available |
| Gym/Fitness Studio: | Not Available |
| Address: | Ft. Thompson SD 57339 |
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
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
| Owner: | Lode Star Casino |
|---|---|
| Phone Number: | 605-245-6000 |
| Gaming License Class: | Class III |
| Number of Games: | Over 230 |
| Hours: | 7am – 4am |
| Opened: | 1993 |
| Website: | Lode Star Casino |
| Social Media: |
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?
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.
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.