Fortune Bay Resort Casino near Tower, Minnesota, combines casino gaming with a hotel, golf course, marina, and Lake Vermilion setting. I think its strongest selling point is having reasons to leave the casino floor, especially for a group that wants boating or golf as well as gambling. The main limitation is scheduling: weekday casino closures, separate blackjack hours, and weekend-only published poker hours require planning. This is a better fit for a Northwoods getaway than an around-the-clock gambling marathon.
Fortune Bay at a glance
| Location | Lake Vermilion, near Tower, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Address | 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, MN 55790 |
| Property type | Casino resort with hotel and RV accommodations |
| Casino hours | Sunday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday and Saturday: open 24 hours. Confirm the Saturday-to-Sunday overnight transition. |
| Minimum gambling age | 18 |
| Live table game | Blackjack, with separate operating hours |
| Poker room | Yes; published play begins Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at noon |
| Retail sportsbook | No |
| Hotel | Approximately 172 rooms, according to the local chamber |
| Notable amenities | The Wilderness golf course, marina, pool, sauna, fitness center, and arcade |
| Dining and drinks | Mino Grill, Aki Bistro, The Wilderness Grill, and Northstar Bar |
| Rewards | Players Club |
| Phone | (218) 753-6400 |
| Information updated | October 17, 2026 |
What kind of resort is Fortune Bay?
Fortune Bay makes more sense when you judge the whole property rather than just its gambling floor. The hotel, RV park, golf course, and lake access give it the ingredients for a mixed-interest vacation. Someone can organize the trip around golf while another person looks forward to an evening at the machines.
That is a meaningful advantage over a casino-only stop. The trade-off is that recreation has its own reservations, seasonal availability, and costs. A room booking does not automatically reserve a tee time, boat slip, or rental equipment.
My advice is to choose the main reason for your trip first, then fit the casino around it. Fortune Bay is easier to appreciate when the lake and golf course are part of the attraction, not merely scenery outside the window.
Casino games: slots, blackjack, and poker
Slots and video poker
Slots are central to the casino experience, with video poker also part of the gaming mix. I would not choose a travel date around a particular machine without asking whether it is still on the floor. Titles, denominations, and inventories change.
Check the total wager rather than just the denomination printed on the machine. A penny game need not be a penny bet. With video poker, the paytable matters more than the cabinet artwork. Winning stories, losing stories, and jackpot displays do not establish the casino’s mathematical returns.
Blackjack and table hours
Blackjack begins at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon Friday through Sunday. Closing is listed as 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with Friday and Saturday play extending to 4 a.m.
If blackjack is the reason for your drive, do not assume you can sit down simply because the casino doors are open. Check the posted minimum, blackjack payout, and table rules before buying in. Current minimums are not quoted here, and limits can change with demand and staffing.
Poker room
Fortune Bay has live poker, with published hours starting at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. Both days list closing simply as “Close,” so there is no fixed ending time to build a trip around.
Call before a poker-specific journey to ask about games, stakes, seating, and expected activity. A scheduled opening does not promise your preferred cash game or a tournament.
Sportsbook
Fortune Bay has no on-property retail sportsbook. Watching a game at the bar is different from placing a sports wager.
Casino hours: plan around separate schedules
The official property-information page separates hotel, casino, blackjack, poker, dining, and recreation hours. I consider that the most useful planning detail here: a hotel operating around the clock does not mean gambling, meals, and every resort facility do the same.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Fortune Bay casino and hotel: Published operating schedules | The hotel lists round-the-clock operation, while the casino publishes overnight closures Sunday through Thursday and round-the-clock operation Friday and Saturday. |
| Fortune Bay blackjack: Weekday versus weekend availability | Blackjack starts at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon Friday through Sunday. Friday and Saturday service extends later than the other listed days. |
| Fortune Bay poker: Friday versus Saturday opening times | The property publishes poker hours beginning at 4 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, with no fixed closing time stated. |
| Fortune Bay pool, sauna, and fitness center: All-ages versus adults-only access | The facilities list all-ages access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., followed by access restricted to guests age 18 and older until midnight. |
| Fortune Bay dining: Mino Grill versus Aki Bistro schedules | Mino Grill offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, while Aki Bistro lists evening-only hours. Neither listed outlet operates overnight. |
| Fortune Bay Northstar Bar: Weeknight versus weekend closing times | Northstar Bar opens at 10 a.m. daily, with a later closing time Friday and Saturday than Sunday through Thursday. |
| Fortune Bay Players Club: Published weekday versus weekend service hours | The Players Club lists an 8 a.m. opening Monday through Saturday, with later closing Friday and Saturday. This passage does not state Sunday hours. |
| Fortune Bay RV accommodations: Campsite rental versus overnight parking | The RV policy requires overnight RVs to rent a site when available and prohibits overnight stays in the parking lots. |
| Fortune Bay RV Park: Waste-disposal charges by guest status | Waste disposal is included for registered RV Park guests; non-guests pay $5.00. |
| Fortune Bay RV Park: Pet access outside versus inside buildings | Family pets are permitted in the RV Park, but the published policy excludes pets from buildings on the property. |
| Fortune Bay property buildings: RV Park pet-policy restriction | Permission to bring a pet to the RV Park does not extend to bringing that pet into property buildings. |
| Fortune Bay RV Park guests: Access to resort pool and sauna | RV Park guests can use the resort’s pool and sauna facility and may request an access key from the Resort Front Desk. |
| Fortune Bay RV Park reservations: Requested versus guaranteed site numbers | A requested campsite number is not guaranteed, even though the property says it tries to accommodate requests. |
| Fortune Bay marina recreation: Motorized versus non-motorized rental costs | The local chamber lists motorized rentals separately from complimentary non-motorized rentals for guests. The passage does not provide motorized rental prices or define guest eligibility. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Waste-disposal fee comparison: non-guest versus registered RV Park guest | $5.00 per waste-disposal use | Registered RV Park guests receive waste disposal without a separate fee; non-guests should budget for the published charge. This comparison excludes campsite charges. |
Research references: fortunebay.com 1, fortunebay.com 2, lakevermilionchamber.org.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-17. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
For an early-week visit, a sensible arrangement is recreation or relaxation during the day, followed by blackjack after its afternoon opening. Friday and Saturday offer more flexibility for live play, including poker, but dining still needs attention before the restaurants close.
The casino schedule also includes a separate Sunday 2 a.m. closing statement. If you intend to play through the Saturday-to-Sunday overnight period, ask the property how that transition works.
Hotel, pool, and overnight stays
The local chamber lists approximately 172 hotel rooms, plus a pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and small workout center. Staying on-site removes an extra drive between dinner, gambling, and bed, which is a substantial part of the appeal.
There is an important age distinction: although gambling starts at 18, the hotel’s reservation policy requires guests to be at least 21 to reserve a room and check in.
I would compare the final reservation total, cancellation terms, and actual room category rather than chase a headline nightly rate. Ask about mandatory charges and package inclusions before paying. There is no single year-round room price that usefully describes a lake-and-golf resort.
The published pool, sauna, and fitness-center schedule allows all ages from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., followed by access for ages 18 and older until midnight. That matters for families expecting a late swim and adults hoping for a quieter finish to the evening.
Discuss specific accessibility needs when reserving. Establish smoking arrangements and hotel pet policies before booking if either would determine whether the stay works for you.
Restaurants and bars
| Venue | Published hours |
|---|---|
| Mino Grill | Breakfast: daily, 7–10 a.m.; lunch and dinner: daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Aki Bistro | Daily, 4–10 p.m. |
| The Wilderness Grill | Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Northstar Bar | Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–2 a.m. |
Mino Grill provides the broadest listed meal coverage, while Aki Bistro is an evening option. Confirm seasonal service at The Wilderness Grill when making golf plans.
My practical recommendation is simple: settle dinner before settling into a long gambling session. Later bar hours do not promise late-night restaurant service. For dietary requirements or a special meal, contact the venue directly.
Bringing refreshments onto the gaming floor is not a workaround for restaurant closing times. Fortune Bay’s casino house rules prohibit outside food and beverages in the casino.
Golf, marina, and things beyond gambling
The Wilderness at Fortune Bay is one of the clearest reasons to consider more than a short casino visit. Reserve a tee time separately unless your package explicitly includes one, and compare cancellation terms, equipment needs, and the full golf cost.
The Lake Vermilion Area Chamber listing describes an 80-slip marina, motorized rentals, and complimentary non-motorized rentals such as kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes for guests. Ask who qualifies, what equipment is available, and how weather or seasonal operations affect access. Complimentary equipment is useful only if it fits your dates and plans.
The property also has an arcade, conference facilities, and the nearby Bois Forte Heritage Museum & Cultural Center. I would give the museum its own place in the itinerary rather than treat it solely as something to do while waiting for the tables to open.
RV stays, parking rules, and costs
Fortune Bay’s RV park includes access to the resort pool and sauna. Registered RV guests can request an access key from the hotel front desk.
The important rule: this is not an overnight casino-parking-lot arrangement. The official RV Park FAQ requires overnight RVs to rent a site when available and prohibits overnight stays in the parking lots. Requested site numbers are not guaranteed.
Waste disposal is included for registered RV Park guests, while non-guests pay $5.00. That is a $5.00 difference per use, excluding campsite charges. It is a useful inclusion, not a reason by itself to assume camping is the cheaper lodging option.
Family pets are permitted in the RV park under its leash and supervision rules, but that permission does not extend to property buildings. RV check-in and check-out are both listed at noon; these are campsite times, not hotel-room times.
Directions and practical visit planning
The resort’s official address is 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, MN 55790. For most visitors, I would plan this as a driving trip. A car also makes it easier to explore the Lake Vermilion area.
Arrange airport transfers or other transportation before traveling, and do not assume an on-demand ride will be waiting after a late gambling session. Allow extra time for winter road conditions. If you are bringing a boat, trailer, oversized vehicle, or EV, establish parking or charging arrangements in advance.
Keep lodging, meals, recreation, transportation, and gambling as separate budget items. A discounted room does not become good value if obtaining it requires gambling beyond what you intended.
Players Club
Fortune Bay has a Players Club. Ask about enrollment before playing, including eligible games, offer restrictions, and promotional-credit rules. The desk has its own hours, so do not assume it is staffed whenever the casino is open.
My rule with rewards is to collect benefits from planned play, not manufacture extra play to earn a benefit.
Who Fortune Bay suits
Fortune Bay is a good fit for travelers who want casino time alongside Lake Vermilion boating, golf, and an overnight resort stay. I like the options for a group whose interests extend beyond gambling, including hotel and RV accommodations, several dining venues, and pool access. Visitors who want a spontaneous, all-hours casino trip should consider another property: separate gaming and dining schedules, seasonal recreation, and transportation arrangements deserve attention before arrival.
For alternatives around the state, see our Minnesota casinos guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fortune Bay Casino open 24 hours?
Not every day. Published hours are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, with 24-hour operation Friday and Saturday. Confirm the Saturday-to-Sunday overnight transition before a late-night visit.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Fortune Bay?
The minimum gambling age is 18. Guests must be at least 21 to reserve a hotel room and check in.
Does Fortune Bay have a poker room?
Yes. Published poker hours begin Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at noon. Ask about games, stakes, seating, and closing arrangements before traveling specifically for poker.
Does Fortune Bay have a sportsbook?
No. Fortune Bay has no on-property retail sportsbook.
Can RV guests use the pool?
Yes. Registered RV Park guests have access to the resort pool and sauna and may request a key from the front desk.
Can you sleep in an RV in the casino parking lot?
No. Overnight RV stays in the parking lots are prohibited. Arrange an RV campsite instead.
Sources and information date
Information updated October 17, 2026. Sources linked above include Fortune Bay’s operating schedules, hotel policies, house rules, contact information, and RV Park FAQ, along with the Lake Vermilion Area Chamber’s property listing. Schedules, seasonal activities, fees, and reservation prices can change.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no on-site sportsbook.