Michigan’s Kewadin Casinos lower gaming age to 18

The venues, owned by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, have lowered the gaming age effective today.

US.- Kewadin Casinos in Michigan have lowered the gaming age to 18, effective today. In 2006, the age limit at the casinos, which are owned by the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was lowered to 19.

As the tribe has a tribal gaming compact with the state of Michigan it has the flexibility to adjust its casino age requirements. The minimum gaming age for online casinos and sports betting will remain at 21.

Kewadin Casinos CEO Allen Kerridge said: “The decision to now lower the gaming age limit to 18 is a decision that gives all legal adults access to our gaming properties. Currently, several of Michigan’s tribal casinos allow legal adults to gamble at their casinos and this change will allow us to be consistent and competitive with those casinos.”

When the age limit was lowered to 19, Kewadin Casinos worked on procedures to prevent underage gaming and drinking. All casinos have identification stands at their entrance to check IDs and workers are also trained to spot those who are underage so that they are not served alcohol.

Kewadin Casinos offers 2,002 slot machines, 25 table games, hotels, dining and other amenities at five properties in Michigan.

Calls to gambling helpline triple in first year of legal betting

In the first year since Michigan legalised sports betting and online gambling, calls to Michigan’s gambling hotline nearly tripled. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, more than 4,400 calls were made to the helpline in 2021. Referrals for people to receive gambling treatment grew by 42 per cent from 295 in 2020 to 420 last year.

See also: Four Iowa casinos fined for allowing minors on casino floors