Tribal Casinos Update: Potawatomi Casino Guests Can Begin Retrieving Stranded Vehicles in Flooded Parking Garage

Following a historic weather event that impacted many local tribal casinos, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee has announced that stranded vehicles in its valet parking garage can be claimed beginning Thursday morning. Following a historic weather event that impacted many local tribal casinos, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel in Milwaukee has announced that stranded vehicles in its valet parking garage can be claimed beginning Thursday morning. The flooding occurred as a result of record rainfall, described as a “once-in-a-thousand-years” weather event, with parts of the city on the western shore of Lake Michigan receiving nearly 10 inches of rain from August 9 to 10, 2025.

Due to the extensive flooding, guests with vehicles parked in the valet garage and those who self-parked on the first level of the six-storey garage were unable to retrieve their vehicles for several days.

From 9 AM local time until 6 PM on Thursday, guests who valeted before the floods can retrieve their vehicle from a designated corner lot on the southwest side of the casino building along W. Potawatomi Circle. The casino has assured that vehicles have been safely removed to this location, which will only be accessible to guests, insurance adjusters, and tow trucks.

Claiming Your Vehicle

To claim a vehicle, patrons must present:

• Valet ticket
• Car registration or title
• A valid government-issued ID

Insurance adjusters will need to provide their business card along with the vehicle identification number (VIN), while tow trucks must have work orders or invoices indicating the specific vehicle they are retrieving.

Vehicle Damage Insights

There is a significant concern regarding damage to vehicles parked in the flooded valet garage. According to a spokesperson for the casino, many vehicles experienced substantial water damage due to the massive amount of water that entered the garage. It’s important to note that most standard auto insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Typically, only comprehensive coverage will account for damage caused by water or flooding.

Most standard auto insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. Comprehensive coverage typically includes damage from hail, fire, theft, and flooding.

Casino Operations During the Flood

Notably, Potawatomi Casino Hotel remained open throughout the storm. Guests were advised to use the above-ground parking structure entrance located off the 16th Street Bridge. As one of the largest casinos in Wisconsin, Potawatomi boasts around 3,000 slot machines, over 60 live-dealer table games, bingo and poker rooms, and the Potawatomi Sportsbook.

Wisconsin hosts more than two dozen tribal casinos, with federally recognised tribes holding a monopoly on casino gambling. Notably, commercial casinos are illegal in the state. As per a fiscal year 2024 revenue report from the National Indian Gaming Commission, tribal casinos in Wisconsin and neighbouring states such as Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, and Indiana generated a gross gaming revenue of approximately $5.1 billion, with 97 tribal gaming facilities reported in total.

Conclusion

Guests at Potawatomi Casino faced considerable challenges as they were unable to access their vehicles amidst the unexpected flooding. However, with the measures now in place, they can retrieve their cars and be informed about any potential damage. The robust community response highlights the resilience of both the casino and visitors during challenging weather conditions.

The Potawatomi Casino remains a significant attraction in Milwaukee, and future enhancements will undoubtedly continue to promote safe and enjoyable experiences for all visitors.

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