Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are key risk factors for susceptibility to more severe COVID-19 symptoms because of their impact on underlying health conditions like heart disease, diminished lung function, weakened immune system, and associated risk of respiratory illness. Now more than ever, reducing exposure to respiratory risk factors seems imperative. The French Lick Resort and Casino and the Four Winds Casino in South Bend instituted a tobacco-free environment as they prepared to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

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  1. Join the fun at Four Winds Casinos Resort and Hotel, with locations in New Buffalo, Hartford, Dowagiac and South Bend, Michigan, you're always near the action.
  2. Book Four Winds Casino Resort, New Buffalo on Tripadvisor: See 623 traveller reviews, 208 candid photos, and great deals for Four Winds Casino Resort, ranked #3 of 8 hotels in New Buffalo and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor.
  3. All four Four Winds Casinos properties are set to reopen one week from today, June 15th. There will be no smoking indoors, no valet services in the parking lot, and no more than four people at a.

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. (WNDU) - All four Four Winds casinos are set to reopen Monday at noon.

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“We wanted to do it as quickly as we can but we weren’t going to open too early, and I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not but when we open on the 15th we will be the last tribe to open in Michigan,” said Tribal Chairman Matt Wesaw, of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.

The Four Winds in New Buffalo opened 13 years ago and never was supposed to close.

“Something we didn’t want to do, as most people know, most of our economic development, most of our revenue comes from the properties we have. We had to go through layoffs, reduced benefits, it was just devastating to a lot of our people,” said Chairman Wesaw.

Come Monday, they’ll know who is hot and who’s not before gamers ever get to the slots.

New thermal imaging cameras have been placed at the entrance.

“We’ll have thermal cameras there they don’t require you to stop your stride so as you walk through, the camera will record your temperature,' explained Four Winds COO Frank Freedman. 'If your temperature is above 100.4, it’ll flag you.'

The Hard Rock Cafe will open, the buffet will not.

Four Winds Casino South Bend Smoking

Players and employees must wear masks.

Smoking will not be allowed indoors.

The Four Winds New Buffalo will be using about 55% of its slot machine capacity.

Some side by side games are too close for COVID comfort so every other machine has been taken out of service.

At the table games, you’ll find more elbow room and perhaps less camaraderie.

“You know people like to stand by table games and watch the action, that won’t be permissible during this time,' Freedman said. 'We’ll ask you to keep moving along.'

Four Winds Casino Open

Electrostatic sprayers full of disinfectant are now standard equipment on the gaming floor.

If you have to sign something at the cashier, you keep the pen.

“When the first casino opened up in the U.P., they were jam packed,” said Chairman Wesaw. “People were just chomping at the bit to come back. I think we will experience a very similar situation.”

The Four Winds floor in New Buffalo has a capacity of 9,800 guests. It’s now set up to accommodate about half that.

“If we’re comfortable in how we feel we can keep our guests safe, we’re not limited to 50%. That’s a state suggestion by executive order. Both Michigan and Indiana we’re not ,we don’t have to abide by that,” said Chairman Wesaw.

Before the closing, the Four Winds had about 2,600 employees.

By Monday, about 2,000 are expected to be back on staff

Your Escape from the Everyday

At Four Winds Hotel New Buffalo, elegant décor and opulent accommodations are carried through all 415 luxurious guest rooms.

Pamper yourself with amenities like granite counter tops, HD TVs, 14-inch pillow top mattresses, plush robes, whirlpool jets and wet bars. With accommodations this luxurious, the only question left for you to answer is “How long can you stay?”

All hotel guests at Four Winds Hotel have access to the following amenities:

  • Fitness center (currently unavailable)
  • Complimentary and valet parking (currently unavailable)
  • Smoking and non-smoking rooms
  • Room service
  • Four Winds Pool and Pool Bar

Some of the special features you’ll find in Four Winds’ hotel rooms include:

  • Exquisite nature views
  • Granite counter tops
  • Leather wrapped headboards
  • Serta® Presidential Suite beds
  • Oversized 20 pound bath sheets and robes
  • Flat screen high-definition televisions
  • Coffee maker and complimentary Starbucks® coffee
  • High speed Internet access
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Hair dryer

No person under the age of twenty-one (21) will be allowed entry into any Four Winds property until further notice. Due to health and safety guidelines, some amenities may be limited or unavailable at this time. Please call 866-494-6371 for information on available amenities.