Four Winds Casino Resort – New Buffalo, MI
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Four Winds Casino Resort Photo
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The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians opened the Four Winds Casino Resort on August 2, 2007.
Paying homage to the heritage of the Pokagon Band, the Four Winds Casino Resort is situated on a beautiful landscape off of I-94 at Michigan Exit 1 in New Buffalo, Michigan and offers 130,000 square feet of gaming space. It also features a 165-room suite-hotel, six restaurants, entertainment bars and retail shops.
"It's an absolutely spectacular property. It has the look of a northwoods lodge with all the ameneties of a modern casino," said Matt Harkness, General Manager, Four Winds Casino Resort in remarks at the Casino's gand opening. "Our staff will offer a level of guest service that has not that has not been seen before in the region."
Upon entering Four Winds from its main entrance, guests enter an expansive rotunda which includes two stunning fireplaces. These fireplaces pay tribute to the Potawatomi Indians, who are known as the "Keepers of the Fire." Over the course of the next year, renowned Native American artist Mike Larson will paint four murals in the rotunda that symbolize significant moments of Pokagon Band history. Materials such as copper, cedarwood and stone can be found throughout the property, which are utilized in many tribal ceremonies.
In addition to its gaming attractions, the Four Winds Casino Resort also offers six restaurants including Swimm, a gourmet seafood restaurant and The Copper Rock Steakhouse, a white table cloth gourmet dining experience. Other restaurants include The Willowbrook Café, serving comfort food in a relaxed and casual twenty four hour environment, Timbers Fast Food and Deli, conveniently situated to offer a view of the casino floor and The Buffet, with seating for up to 500 people. The property is also home to Silver Creek Bistro, a cafe serving a full line of Starbucks® products as well as an eclectic variety of fresh pastries, artisan sandwiches and specialty salads.
The Casino offers a full complement of slot machines, including progressive slots linked to other Native American casinos, ensuring the highest jackpots in the region. Also featured are approximately 100 table games including Blackjack, Craps, No Way Craps, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Crazy Four, Let It Ride, Mini and Midi Baccarat, Rapid Roulette and Roulette.
Nestled in the woods, the Four Winds casino, promises a clear departure from the bright, flashy Vegas-inspired decor local gamblers might expect except maybe in size. According to Lyle Berman, CEO, Lakes Entertainment, "If the Four Winds Casino Resort were located in Las Vegas, it would be the second largest casino in terms of gaming positions."
Constructed at an estimated cost of $160 million, the 52 acre development is expected to draw more than four million visitors a year to the New Buffalo area.
Four Winds Casino Resort features:
- More than 124,000-square feet of gaming.
- 3,000 slot machines, including progressive slots linked to other Native American casinos. As the only Native American casino in the area, Four Winds has the highest jackpots in the region.
- 100 table games including Blackjack, Craps, No Way Craps, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Crazy Four, Let It Ride, Mini and Midi Baccarat, Rapid Roulette, and Roulette.
- The Midwest's only World Poker Tour Poker Room. Players can participate in promotions and win seats on the World Poker Tour.
- A 165-room hotel and a special events center.
- Covered parking garage with 2,200-spaces.
- Valet parking
- A 1,000 place outdoor parking surface
- Tour bus parking
- A 10,000 square foot, fully equipped child care center for children 6 weeks to 12 years-old, as well as CyberQuest, a supervised arcade for older kids.
- Five restaurants ranging from a 500-seat buffet to the high end Copper Rock Steakhouse.
Gambling aside...
The Four Winds Casino Resort is now the single largest employer in the area. Economic studies predict the casino will support 3,500 jobs in the community, including nearly 2,400 at the casino. In addition, it should provide the state of Michigan with an estimated $20 million in annual revenues and provide more than $4 million a year to local governments and agencies.
The Four Winds Casino is managed by Minneapolis-based Lakes Entertainment, Inc., which currently boasts a total of nine casino development and management deals with six different tribes located in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and California.
Lakes Entertainment also has plans to build a company-owned casino resort in Vicksburg, Miss., and it is the majority owner of WPT Enterprises, a media and entertainment company that produces the "World Poker Tour" television series.
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