Turtle Lake Casino Wisconsin review

[Traber]

I had some family come in from out of town and wouldn't you know it they were dying to go to the casino. Being pretty worn out myself from going quite a bit lately I mustered up the energy to go. I am pretty bored of the local casinos so I brought up going to Turtle Lake Casino in Wisconsin which is about a 70 minute drive from the Twin Cities.

I haven't been there in years before the days of video slots and I remember that place as ultra boring with many reel machines. Well not much has changed. They are bombarded with games like sizzling 7s and the likes with denomiations from 5c all the way up to $5. Many of you say you miss the old 9 and 15 line nickel machines, well there are also many of those there too. They don't have much in the way of the newest and greatest WMS, IGT games like I'm so accustomed to. What they also had alot of was the progressive type video slots such as Happy Days, Monopoly Big Event, Jaws and the likes. No thanks. For IGT video slot games there were hardly any at all. A few here and there and that was about it.

The upside to gambling in Wisconsin is their poker rooms allow no limit texas hold em cash games whereas Minnesota is strictly fixed limit cash games. If anyones played both you will know Limit Hold Em is super boring. So being that I play a pretty good game of poker I ended up spending a couple hours playing poker and had a great time.

Their buffet was absolutely horrible for casino standards and is priced pretty low at 10.99 understandably so since there isn't a very wide selection and the food was bland. The prime rib is better there than most but that was the only good thing about it. Skip the buffet if you can.

They do have live craps and roulette again in Minnesota they don't allow that so I threw the dice for a little while, things I can't do in Minnesota cainos. Also their blackjack there is reasonable with some $5 two deck Vegas style pitch em games.

So overall I had a decent time I got to play other games besides slots since there were more choices. The slots I did play were alright but old games I hadn't played in awhile.

I likely won't return anytime soon though as the drive is too far and unless you like the old nickel 9 liners from 5-10 years ago or reel slots you probably won't have much fun there and better off going to a casino with the newer games that keep you always interested.

[QueenB]

I've never been to Turtle Lake before. Thanks for the report. Doesn't really sound like my cup of tea, since I usually like the latest and greatest video slots. Of course I do miss some of my old favorites that are gone at most casinos now.

[Golconda]

Thats strange, they have Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Viva Monopoly, Jackpot Junction...lots of stuff that you usually can't get in Minnesota because Minnesota doesn't allow transmissive reels. Although I agree, the food wasn't too hot although I have only had their breakfast. I would rather go to Hinckley or TI but I sometimes go for the Transmissives

[Discboy]

I totally agree about the buffet - its the worst. When I go I hit the snack bar. Nice variety of food, and its pretty good, and cheap.

[Max]

Funny you post this; I was planning to head up that direction this week. I'm planning a Wednesday trip, and Turtle lake was one of my top two choices exactly for the slots Golconda listed.

Turtle lake does have some older slots, but it seems like they have a greater variety of them. I guess it depends what you are in the mood for. It is a little longer drive for me, then driving to TI, but I think it might be worth it.

I've never eaten there or stayed overnight...thanks for the warning on the food!

[Golconda]

Yea, but from what I understand, they are getting goldfish 2 soon if it isn't already in there to add to their transmissives. They do have a wall that is real estate tycoon and jackpot junction if I recall. And they are the only place I am aware of within about 2 hours that has a Star Wars game.

[Max]

I would go there simply for the Star Wars. I've never had a chance to play it. Goldfish 2? How fun would that be. I'm planning on either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday afternoon. I'm leaning at Turtle Lake but considering Hinckley. Both are about 1.5 hours away and I've not been to either for 2 years.

Jeez, tough choice eh?

[Traber]

Yeah I was actually looking forward to playing goldfish 2 but I didn't see it. That wouldve made the trip way better.

[Jennybean25]

Turtle Lake is the casino I would call "my casino". It is about 1 hour from home and if we go this is the casino we go to. I have to disagree with the lack of new games. I was in Vegas not that long ago and I have to say I was missing my favorites from home. They have several of the newer games. They seem to get the new games shortly after they come out. They also have a good selection of the old nickels which is a huge plus. Everybody loves the old money to burn, reel em in, big tippers, jackpot party, etc.... They have a very very good mix of machines. When we visited TI in MN last year we were very disappointed with the selection and most likely won't go back due to this. As far as the food the best is the deli in the back. They have a great prime rib sandwich for less than $5.00. Turtle Lake is definetly worth the visit. The hotel is basic but they have a nice pool and a huge hot tub. The rooms are pretty cheap and clean. You won't be disappointed in the machines. I am hoping they get Wicked Winnings II soon and the gold fish 2!

[Max]

I finally remembered the last time I went to Turtle Lake, and why it was soo long ago. I used to go there regularly (once every 2-3 months considering it is almost a 2 hour drive compared to 20-30 minutes for 2 closer casinos) but the last time I went all the computers were down! Every single payout was a hand pay. If you put in a $20 and won $60 and wanted to move to a different machine you had to wait 1-2 hours to get your money! I was so mad I told the host that they need to update their website if people are going to drive almost 2 hours and not be able to play.

I was wondering why it had been so long.

Oh...and the crazy thing was: Turtle Lake was announcing the problem over and over on the speakers to tell people it was going to be up to 2+ hours for a hand pay and people were STILL hitting cash out for $.50 or $.02. They were playing down a $20 and waiting HOURS for pennies. It made it miserable on those of us that had legit payouts to collect. I told one lady specifically not to try and cash out her last nickle because it was a horrendous wait...did she listen? No. She waited 1.5 hours for a NICKLE!
People were also leaving their machines and leaving the casino with credits still waiting to be cashed out of a machine. Rather than play it out and let someone else sit down, they would run it down to pennies, hit 'cash out' and walk away. This would tie up that machine for literally hours. First, employees were focusing on machines with customers waiting, second, the computers were down so the back room wasn't being notified of machines with errors, and thirdly people who were still trying to play didn't know if someone was coming back or not. Miserable Miserable Miserable.

LOL I think that was the reason I've not gone back. Didn't want to risk it. Now, I always call. :P

[Jennybean25]

That's crazy! I don't think you will have that problem again.

[Jennybean25]

Hey Turtle Lake Fans! I received my monthly newsletter and Turtle Lake has received many new slots. They finally got Goldfish2, Lucky Penny, and the super new Monopoly Advance to Boardwalk. I am so excited! I am hoping to get there soon and I will let you know what else they got. They have several more availble on their website!

[payline]

Thanks Jenny, When are you going? I've been thinking about going to the Turtle with my sis soon. We really enjoyed playing Lucky Penny in Vegas. Keep us posted:)

[Golconda]

Oooh...Advance to Boardwalk...I think I may just head up there tonight if I can convince my friend to go with me.

[Jennybean25]

I may have talked the hubby into next friday. We have a free room coming so we will see. If you go tonight let me know what else they got. I am hoping they got wicked winning 2 and xtra reward.

[Golconda]

So I did go and the Advance to Boardwalks were not there and neither was the Price is Right. Maybe they will get there sometime. As always, it was a losing night although the person I was with got over a $100 on one spin with the Glinda the Good witch slot... :)

I played the new Star Wars came where you race on Speeders and it totally sucks. I really don't like that you compete against other people playing. Makes it very negative in my opinion. They do have Lucky Penny thought and that was fun.

I am beginning to really like the MOney Burst games. I had one big win all night and it was $80 from the Planet Loot game. I really liked that game. The music made me want to dance in my seat...lol

[Jennybean25]

I can't believe they don't have the price is right or the advance to boardwalk! That is totally bad advertising! They have the picture on the front of their website! WTF! Did you see any xtra reward or wicked winnings 2?

[Golconda]

They did have a whole new setup in that back room and they do have the Time Machine back there now. It is quite possible that the Boardwalk and other stuff is coming in later but they definitely are not currently in the casino. I didn't look for Wicked Winnings II.

There were several new games but couldn't tell you all of them since I was specifically looking for Advance to Boardwalk