The new Crystal Shores Casino is set to open its doors in Benzonia, bringing excitement to the area.
Benzonia is preparing for the grand opening of the Crystal Shores Casino on January 22, 2025. Located near Crystal Lake, this tribal casino will offer gaming for about 250 guests and create around 40 local jobs. With significant renovations underway and an expanded parking lot, the casino is a promising addition for both entertainment and community support.
Benzonia, Michigan is gearing up for a buzz of excitement as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians prepares to unveil its shiny new establishment, the Crystal Shores Casino. Slated to open its doors on January 22, 2025, this colorful addition to the local community promises to deliver a healthy dose of fun and entertainment in Benzie County.
The casino is conveniently positioned at 7282 Hoadley Road, just a stone’s throw away from the idyllic Crystal Lake and near the bustling intersection of US-31 and M-115. With such a prime location, it’s sure to draw in both locals and visitors looking for some gaming excitement.
The Crystal Shores Casino will occupy the former space of a community center, which is located within a tribal government building. This thoughtful design means that part of the facility will still serve important governmental functions after the gaming operations are evaluated.
To kick things off, there will be a special soft opening for tribal members only on January 18-19, paving the way for a grand reveal shortly after. The gaming area will accommodate around 250 guests at a time, with a total gaming floor area of 3,213 square feet. Are you a fan of slots? You’re in luck! The casino will dedicate 2,794 square feet just for slot machines. However, you might want to keep your poker face at home as there won’t be any table games offered at this time.
This exciting venture will not only provide an outlet for entertainment but is expected to generate a wave of employment opportunities—something this local community has definitely been craving! Out of approximately 100 applicants, the casino has already hired around 40 staff members. With an average annual wage projected at around $27,000, plus tips expected to sweeten the pot, it’s an appealing job opportunity for many folks.
Ongoing renovations are in full swing, with updates to electrical systems, architecture, flooring, and furnishings anticipated to wrap up by January 15. As part of preparing for the expected influx of visitors, a brand-new parking lot is also on the agenda, expanding parking capacity from 45 spaces to 135 spaces. That’s a whopping increase of 90 additional spaces!
The Grand Traverse Band isn’t just about gaming; they have a rich history of community engagement and support. Under a longstanding agreement dating back to 1993, the tribe generously shares 2% of its net gaming revenue with local governments, which has amounted to roughly $4 million for Benzie County over the years—primarily aiding those essential first responder services.
For context, the Crystal Shores Casino will be the first new tribal casino to open in Michigan since the Odawa Casino Mackinaw in 2016. The Grand Traverse Band operates two other successful casinos in the area: the Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel established in 1996, and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge, which opened in 1991. With nearly 4,000 enrolled members, the tribe actively serves a six-county region, including Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties.
The local community has warmly welcomed the new casino venture, which was well-received after a thorough review process under the National Indian Gaming Commission—meaning it’s all systems go for this exciting new addition to Benzonia!
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