All five of the casinos in Michigan owned and operated by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians under the Kewadin name are now fully smoke-free.
A smoking ban started Nov. 11 at Kewadin Casinos. Visitors can enjoy those facilities without the hinderance or smell of smoke in any areas.
Customers who wish to smoke will have access to a “designated outdoor area with seating for smokers as well as easy access to step outside…” according to a statement from the tribe.
“This policy change aligns with our mission to create the very best experience possible for all our guests,” said Allen Kerridge, Chief Executive Officer of Kewadin Casinos.
Many Michigan casinos are now taking the step to be smoke-free in response to their customers. In 2010, Michigan passed laws banning smoking in most public spaces. The Smoke-Free Indoor Air Law covered all government public spaces and community areas, as well as restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, grocery stores, most retail locations, hospitals and clinics, concert venues, museums, nursing homes, schools, colleges, campuses, and education buildings, and childcare centers.
Later, most bars became smoke-free in the state. Michigan law requires smoking to take place at least 30 feet from any public building. Most apartment buildings also ban smoking on their property.
Casinos are one of the last spaces that can permit smoking in Michigan. However, roughly half of all Michigan casinos are now smoke-free establishments.
Kewadin Casinos are located exclusively in the Upper Peninsula, in Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie, and St. Ignace. For many who enjoy gaming and entertainment, the Kewadin Casinos are tourist attractions.
Renovations Will Renew Kewadin Casinos for All Visitors
In conjunction with the smoking ban, Kewadin Casinos will soon undergo renovations to freshen and renew the venues. According to the Chippewa Tribe of Sault Ste. Marie, that will include new carpets in the gaming areas and guest rooms, as well as fresh paint jobs.
Kerridge noted:
“We’ve heard from many customers and team members who feel a smoke-free environment is the right step forward. We’re excited to meet their needs and provide an even more welcoming atmosphere at all our properties.”
Other changes have come recently for Kewadin, which provided license access to WynnBET for online casino gaming. That mobile product was recently taken over by Caesars and rebranded to Horseshoe Online Casino in Michigan.
Which Michigan Casinos are Smoke-Free?
Michigan has 29 casinos, and 15 are now officially smoke-free:
- Bay Mills Resort & Casino
- FireKeepers Casino Hotel
- Four Winds Casinos
- Island Resort & Casino
- Kewadin Casinos (all 5 locations in the U.P.)
- Leelanau Sands Casino
- Northern Waters Casino Resort
- Odawa Casinos
- Saganing Eagles Landing Casino
- Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
- Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel
In addition, MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit encourages its visitors to smoke outside, though they have not officially declared their property as smoke-free.
