LITTLE RIVER CASINO CONTINUES REINVESTMENT SPREE WITH SPRING 2026 UPGRADES

01 October 2026

Renovations on track to finish in April as sports betting remains core draw.

LITTLE RIVER, MI — Little River Casino Resort is less than a month away from unveiling its most significant upgrade in years. When spring 2026 renovations are completed in April, the Manistee casino and event center will sport refreshed dining, gaming and hospitality offerings. The property aims to increase its pull as a sports betting destination, having quietly surpassed sister locations in the state in sports betting revenue since 2021.

The centerpiece of the modern mission is a revitalized main gaming floor. The floor is currently 75% complete, according to a February report. When finished, it will include "refreshed décor, enhanced lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system and an expanded slot-machine selection," said Michael Young, Little River's General Manager. Meanwhile, phase one upgrades are already proving popular with guests.

A smoking gaming section is expected to be completed by early April. That zone will modernize options for nicotine-friendly guests. Current offerings include a 292-room hotel, as well as a 1,600-seat event center that's cherry-picked by Manistee County tourism as an ideal concert and show venue.

The sporting angle

The sporting angle is the key to Little River's growth. In June 2020, it inked a partnership with Rush Street Interactive. Per the terms, Little River joined with the sports betting firm to build a mixed offline and online gaming presence—from bets on sporting events to general-knowledge questions. Michigan legalized online sports betting in January 2021. By ramping up the sportsbook and amenities, Little River is strategizing to be a top choice for gamblers of all kinds.

Beyond betting, food is the other draw at Little River. The resort's most recent new project is the upscale Heron restaurant, which has already rolled out a menu including "housemade pasta, barbeque, po' boys and signature pancakes." The restaurant was added as the latest step in expanding its food and beverage division.

The property announced that its July 2023, 14,000 square-foot event center was its most ambitious move. The Delta Pulaski District Space was built to maximize the resort's appeal to institutions, including universities and large organizations.

Those changes came about as part of a re-shaping of Manistee's relationship with gaming revenue. Little River's success has expanded Manistee revenue share, according to Manistee County's website. That tax-fueled spending has been backed by casino profits, alongside increased game licensing and local tax funds. Among New Buffalo and Holland-based casinos, Little River is the largest revenue generator in towns of similar size.

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While Manistee's tourism office promotes Little River extensively, the resort is part of something bigger in the area. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians represents the collection of companies belonging to the tribe, including Little River Holdings. The Band invested in North Channel Brewing, owned by Chris Contrata from Cassopolis. The Little River release said upgrades to enhance its entertainment offerings would begin in mid-May 2026.

The Band has signaled that its commitment to Manistee goes even further. At a local economic board meeting, the tribe touted its Gateway project. As a $91 million expansion, the concept includes a 210-car parking deck, along with luxury condos, a hotel, a large-screen movie theater and a rooftop eatery. The resort's climb in Michigan gaming was economic fodder for the project. A fast track agreement was reached, estimated to cost the city $66 million in the coming years, in addition to $33.8 million in tax increment funds over a 25 year span.

Holdings' internal team has been in the spotlight as they announce the coming of the Gateway. Rachelle Réné, who has been with Little River since 2015, is a central figure in the pending project. "This has been a long time in the making, and even longer in the planning," Réné said, per a recent report. "Hearing so much feedback from our community and seeing these partnerships take shape has been incredibly encouraging, even during challenging times."

While Little River works on the Gateway and upgrades at the resort, the company is also planning a hotel on Ocean Blvd. The New Hotel Array at Manistee Beach awaits city council approval. Site plans call for a 52-room, three-story hotel with 30,000 square feet of event space, as well as a 35-car parking garage.

The moves come as Little River solidifies its position in Michigan's gaming market, ranking first among Native-owned casinos in the 2023 lottery program. According to the Gaming Control Board's report, online sports gaming grew by 20.1% year over year. Annual gaming revenue exceeded $332 million for the first time, with $293 million spent on online wagers. Little River's partnership plays a key role in that growth, with an emphasis on online wagering.

Starting in April, Little River will enhance its appeal through a $91 million investment in Manistee, designed to boost the resort's sports wagering business, upgrade food and hospitality services, and expand its gaming offerings.