Fortune Bay Resort Casino

What Fortune Bay Resort Casino does

Fortune Bay Resort Casino is an integrated gaming, hospitality, and recreation resort owned and operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa through the Bois Forte Development Corporation. Located on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota, the property combines a two-floor casino with 500+ slot machines and table games (blackjack, poker), a 173-room smoke-free hotel with four tiers from Deluxe Standard to Executive Suite, a 70-slip full-service marina, an RV park, six food and beverage outlets, and 10,000+ square feet of meeting and event space. The resort's anchor amenity is The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, an 18-hole public golf course that has held a Golf Digest Top 100 Greatest Public Courses ranking continuously since 2021 and sits at #7 nationally in Golfweek's Top 50 Casino Golf Courses.

The property's underlying technology stack is conventional for the segment: integrated slot-machine networks with progressive jackpots, table-game management systems, an OnAgilysys-powered online booking platform, and GPS-equipped golf carts. Player engagement is driven by a five-tier Players Club loyalty program (Tracker through Voyager Elite) that tracks carded play, issues points, cash back, and Fortune Play free slot play, and rewards repeat visitation through monthly tier evaluation and promotional events (Young at Heart Day for 50+, Elders Day for tribal members 55+, Border Bucks for Canadian visitors). Revenue is generated across seven distinct streams — casino gaming, hotel lodging, food and beverage, golf, marina and boat rentals, RV park, and retail — with no single segment disclosed and no public revenue figures.

Customer segments span gaming enthusiasts, golf travelers, leisure families, group events and weddings, Canadian cross-border visitors, and senior/elder tribal guests; go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via website booking, phone reservations, email marketing, the loyalty program, and event-driven promotions including ticketed concerts and tournaments. The resort markets year-round outdoor recreation (fishing, boating, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing) and indoor amenities (pool, sauna, fitness center, arcade) as a complement to gaming, reinforcing a destination-resort positioning anchored by the nationally ranked golf course and the lake-front setting.

Name

Fortune Bay Resort Casino

Legal name

Fortune Bay Resort Casino

Website

https://fortunebay.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Fortune Bay Resort Casino is a tribal-owned integrated gaming, lodging, golf, marina, and event resort operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota, serving regional leisure travelers, gaming guests, golfers, group events, and Canadian cross-border visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casino Resort Hospitality

NAICS

Casino Hotels (721120), Casino Hotels (72112), Gambling Industries (7132)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Casino Resorts (THAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Integrated Casino Resorts (Casino + Hotel/Entertainment) (MPAEAAAA)

Keywords

• Casino gaming services
• Resort lodging
• Public golf course
• Marina boat rentals
• Hospitality dining

Headquarters

HQ city

Tower

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Casino Gaming: The primary revenue driver includes slot machine play (500+ machines with video poker and video keno), table games (blackjack, poker), and promotional play (Fortune Play free slot play). The casino generates revenue through house edge on games and player activity tracked via the Players Club loyalty system. Casino hours extend from 7AM-2AM Sunday-Thursday and 24 hours Friday-Saturday.
2. Hotel Lodging: 173-room smoke-free resort offering Deluxe Standard rooms, Premium rooms, Suites, and Executive Suites. Revenue from room nightly rates (with double occupancy base pricing, additional adult charges of $10+ tax per person), with corporate, government (military), AAA/AARP/CARP/Tribal discounts available.
3. Food & Beverage: Multiple dining outlets including Aki Bistro (steaks, seafood, upscale comfort food), Mino Grill (casual dining, pizzas), North Star Bar (cocktails, sports viewing), Wilderness Grill (golf course restaurant), and breakfast buffet. Revenue from cover charges, food items, alcoholic beverages, and catering for events.
4. Golf Operations: The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is a ranked public golf course generating revenue from green fees, cart rentals (with GPS systems), pro shop merchandise, and food service at the Wilderness Grill. The course is open 7 days a week from 6:30AM-8:30PM.
5. Marina & Boat Rentals: 70-slip dock system accommodating pontoons, fishing boats, and houseboats. Revenue from daily boat launches ($10), pontoon rentals ($300-$450/day), fishing boat rentals ($150/day), weekly rental rates, bait shop sales, gas sales, and complimentary non-motorized watercraft for hotel/RV guests.
6. RV Park: RV park with daily rates ($45/night standard, $55/night holiday/special events), plus resort fees and taxes. Includes shower access, sauna, dump station, boat launch discount, coin laundry, and Wi-Fi. Stay 6 nights get 7th free promotion.
7. Retail & Gift Shop: Whispering Winds Gift Shop (sundries, souvenirs, Native-inspired products, books, apparel) and Giizhik Market (snacks, beverages, grab-and-go items, essentials). Both located within the resort.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fortune Bay Resort Casino is a tribally owned integrated resort on Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota, operating a 173-room hotel, a two-floor casino with 500-plus slot machines and table games, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay public golf course, a 70-slip marina with boat rentals, multiple dining venues, an RV park, and meeting and wedding venues. Revenue is generated from casino gaming, hotel lodging, food and beverage, golf green fees and merchandise, marina services, RV park stays, retail, and event bookings, supported by the Players Club loyalty program.

Product overview

Fortune Bay Resort Casino is a comprehensive lakeside resort offering an integrated portfolio of hospitality and entertainment products. The property features a 173-room smoke-free hotel with various room categories and suites, an RV park with full amenities, a 70-slip marina with boat rentals, and The Wilderness at Fortune Bay award-winning golf course (ranked #72 in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public Courses 2025). Gaming operations include over 500 slot machines and table games (blackjack, poker) across two floors, supported by a Players Club loyalty program. Dining offerings span multiple venues including Aki Bistro (upscale), Mino Grill, Wilderness Grill, North Star Bar, and breakfast buffet. Recreation facilities include an indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, arcade, and comprehensive outdoor activities (fishing, boating, snowmobiling, skiing). The resort also provides extensive meetings and events services with over 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible space including ballrooms, meeting rooms, and a lakeside tent, making it a full-service destination for weddings and corporate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Wilderness at Fortune Bay: Award-winning 18-hole public golf course ranked in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public Courses and Golfweek's Top 50 Casino Golf Courses in the US.
• Aki Bistro
• Mino Grill
• North Star Bar
• Wilderness Grill
• Tamarack Breakfast Buffet
• Giizhik Market
• Whispering Winds Gift Shop

Products and services

• Fortune Bay Casino Gaming Two-floor casino offering 500+ slot machines including video poker and video keno, blackjack, and poker, supported by the Players Club loyalty program for adult gaming guests.
• Slot Machines Over 500 slot machines including video poker and video keno, with denominations from $0.01 to $5.00, featuring progressive slots and games such as Huff N More Puff, Rich Little Piggies, Buffalo Link, and Dragon titles for adult casino guests.
• Blackjack Traditional and high-limit blackjack with betting limits ranging from $10-$500, no-rake game options, high-limit tables on Fridays and Saturdays, and weekly tournaments for adult gaming guests.
• Hotel Rooms and Suites 173 smoke-free hotel rooms including Deluxe Standard, Premium, Suites, and Executive Suites, featuring balconies, kitchenettes, fireplaces, jacuzzis, and views of Lake Vermilion or the golf course for leisure and group guests.
• RV Park On-site RV park with daily and weekly hookups, shower access, sauna, dump station, boat launch discount, coin laundry, Wi-Fi, and access to resort amenities including pool, hot tub, fitness room, and sauna for RV travelers.
• Marina at Fortune Bay 70-slip dock system on Lake Vermilion accommodating pontoons, fishing boats, and houseboats, with a bait shop, gas sales, and complimentary non-motorized watercraft use for resort guests.
• The Wilderness at Fortune Bay Golf Course 18-hole public golf course ranked in Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Public Courses and Golfweek's Top 50 Casino Golf Courses in the US, featuring dramatic rock outcroppings, majestic pines, GPS-equipped carts, and full practice facilities for golfers and group events.
• Aki Bistro Upscale bistro featuring steaks, seafood, burgers, pasta, and handcrafted cocktails in a modern bistro setting with culturally inspired northwoods flavors, open seven days a week from 4PM-10PM.
• Mino Grill Casual dining restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, entrees, and 12-inch pizzas, open daily from 7AM-10PM.
• Wilderness Grill Full-service golf clubhouse restaurant offering signature entrees, homemade desserts, and beverages with scenic views of the golf course, serving golfers and resort guests.
• North Star Bar Sports bar on the casino's second floor featuring four large HDTVs, custom cocktails including a signature Makers Mark whiskey, and nightly happy hour discounts on drinks.
• Tamarack Breakfast Buffet Self-serve breakfast buffet available daily from 7AM-10AM featuring eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, steak, breakfast potatoes, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, cereal, and juice for $16 per person.
• Boat Rentals Boat rental fleet including 16-foot Alumacraft fishing boats ($150/day, $850/week), standard 20-foot pontoons ($300/day), fishing pontoons ($350/day), and premier Grand Island pontoons ($450/day) for lake recreation guests.
• Fishing Services Full-service fishing operation on Lake Vermilion featuring a bait shop with tackle, live bait, rods and reels, off-sale beer and wine, complimentary fish cleaning shack, and outdoor kitchen for anglers.
• Winter Activities Winter recreation programming including groomed-trail snowmobiling via the Vermilion Penguin Snowmobile Club, snowshoeing on Lake Vermilion, cross-country skiing on complimentary groomed trails, and ice fishing.
• Meetings and Events Over 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space including the Woodlands Ballroom, Sumac Room, Executive Board Room, and outdoor Lakeside Tent with AV technology and full-service catering for corporate, association, and private events.
• Wedding Services Complete wedding venue services including lakefront ceremonies, Woodlands Ballroom receptions, outdoor tent options, full-service catering, and dedicated event coordination for wedding hosts.
• Players Club Free tiered loyalty rewards program (Tracker, Explorer, Adventurer, Voyager, Voyager Elite) tracking carded slot and table play, awarding points, cash back, Fortune Play free slot play, and exclusive member benefits to casino guests 18+.
• Entertainment and Concerts Live entertainment programming including headline concerts (Warrant, Quiet Riot, Oakridge Boys), free Sunsets Music Series summer concerts, and holiday celebrations such as the 4th of July, with ticketing through Etix.
• Pool and Fitness Center Indoor pool with outdoor sundeck, hot tub, sauna, wading pool for children, and fitness equipment including treadmill, recumbent bike, upright bike, and cross-trainer for resort guests.
• Whispering Winds Gift Shop and Giizhik Market On-property retail outlets including Whispering Winds Gift Shop (sundries, souvenirs, books, apparel, Native-inspired products) and Giizhik Market (snacks, beverages, grab-and-go selections, everyday essentials) for resort guests.

Quantifiable outcome

• Golf Digest 100 Greatest Public Courses ranking: #72 (2025), #67 (2024), #67 (2023), #69 (2022), #67 (2021)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Bois Forte Band of ChippewaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFortune Bay Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa. The band established Fortune Bay through the Bois Forte Development Corporation (BFDC), which manages tribal businesses with goals of generating revenue for band programs/services and creating employment/career opportunities for band members and neighboring community residents. The resort is located on Bois Forte Reservation land.
• Bois Forte Heritage Museum & Cultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated 0.4 miles from Fortune Bay Resort Casino, the Bois Forte Heritage Museum brings Ojibwe history and culture alive through artifacts and interactive displays. Fortune Bay's valet drivers can transport guests to the museum. The museum's gift shop features Native American items. The resort displays sample items from the museum in the front lobby.
• Vermilion Penguin Snowmobile ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer snowmobile club maintains well-groomed trails accessible from Fortune Bay's front doors. Hundreds of miles of trails lead to cities across the Iron Range with pit stops for meals and beverages. Snowmobiling packages available at the resort.
• Quad Cities District Rotary ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2017 Rotary District 5580 Conference hosted at Fortune Bay, with members attending from Williston, North Dakota to Nipigon, Ontario. The event highlighted northeastern Minnesota tourism and featured native foods. Fortune Bay staff (Brian Salazar, Emily Lehti, Angel Santeramo, Kirstie Kern, Brian K. Anderson) coordinated facilities and catering.
• Minnesota Board on AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFortune Bay hosted the Minnesota Board on Aging's annual retreat, providing meeting facilities and hospitality services. Staff received praise for kind and thoughtful service throughout the event.
• Scenic River Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScenic River Health Services held dinner meetings at Fortune Bay, praising the food quality and conference space accommodations.
• Bois Forte Fitness CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFortune Bay employees receive complimentary use of the Bois Forte Fitness Center as part of employee wellness benefits.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Grand View Lodge: Iconic Minnesota northwoods resort on Gull Lake without casino gaming. Directly comparable on the lodging, F&B, marina, and group event experience side of Fortune Bay's offering, useful for benchmarking non-gaming resort revenue and guest experience against a comparable destination resort.

Direct peers

• Shooting Star Casino Hotel: Minnesota tribal casino hotel in Mahnomen, MN operated by the White Earth Nation. Comparable integrated casino/hotel/golf offering competing for Minnesota gaming market and group business.
• Treasure Island Resort & Casino: Minnesota tribal casino resort owned by the Prairie Island Indian Community in Welch, MN. Most direct peer: similar integrated casino+hotel+dining+event format, regional competitor for Minnesota gaming market and destination leisure guests.
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs: Minnesota tribal casino operated by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Onamia, MN. Competes for the same Minnesota tribal gaming demand with combined casino, hotel, golf and event spaces similar to Fortune Bay's integrated resort model.
• Grand Casino Hinckley: Minnesota tribal casino resort owned by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Hinckley, MN. Comparable integrated casino/hotel/entertainment format serving Minnesota gaming and leisure travelers with event and group bookings.
• Prairie's Edge Casino Resort: Minnesota tribal casino resort operated by the Upper Sioux Community in Granite Falls, MN. Comparable integrated casino/lodging/event venue competing for Minnesota gaming market.
• Seven Clans Casino Hotel (Thief River Falls): Minnesota tribal casino hotel in Thief River Falls. Similar integrated casino/hotel/entertainment format operated by the Seven Clans/Red Lake Nation; comparable regional market competitor with similar four-season operating profile.
• Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel: Minnesota tribal casino hotel operated by the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, MN. Comparable integrated casino resort competing for the Minnesota regional gaming and leisure travel market.

Regional players

• Lake of the Torches Resort Casino: Wisconsin tribal casino resort in Lac du Flambeau operated by the Lac du Flambeau Band. Comparable integrated gaming/hotel/lake-resort model in the broader Upper Midwest but does not directly compete in Minnesota; useful cross-border benchmark for tribal resort operations.

Broad incumbents

• Mystic Lake Casino Hotel: Massive Minnesota tribal casino resort operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, MN. Same Minnesota tribal gaming market but at significantly larger scale (4,000+ slots, 800+ hotel rooms, golf, concert venue); provides regional ceiling on demand and competitive pressure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fortunebay
• Facebookfacebook.com/fortunebayresortcasino
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fortune-bay-resort-casino

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fortune Bay Resort Casino