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Raising The Bar

During the past two decades, casino gaming has grown to become an integral part of the tourism experience in several Midwestern states. "Without a doubt, no other form of entertainment offers the unique combination of sights, sounds, excitement and social interaction as that found in our casinos," said Wes Ehrecke, executive director of the Iowa Gaming Association.

As competition from new casinos and other forms of leisure activities increased, Midwest riverboat and American Indian-owned casinos began to expand, adding first-class hotels, top-notch restaurants and a bevy of amenities aimed at attracting a variety of visitors to their now full-service destination resorts. And, as with any service-oriented business, the need to update, upgrade and expand their facilities is a never-ending process. During a spring tour of the casino complexes that dot the Midwest, I noted several new and recently completed projects of interest.

Iowa

The state's racetrack casinos are off and running with their 2002 live racing programs. Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Altoona, Iowa's only horse-racing facility, added 300 slot machines to its gaming floor during a recent $26 million expansion. Future plans include an enhanced entertainment venue and new meeting and banquet facilities.

Bluffs Run Casino, a greyhound racing track with 1,500 slot machines, is one of three gaming facilities in Council Bluffs. Last year Harrah's Entertainment Inc. purchased both Bluffs Run and the nearby Harvey's Casino. The new owner changed the name of the riverboat complex to Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel and upgraded both properties with signature Harrah's appointments, eateries and amenities.

Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs has undergone a property-wide remodeling and expansion during the past two years. Making the casino fresh are the addition of the Prairie Mill Cafe and Bakery, the $1.2 million renovation of the Amerisports Bar & Cabaret in the Main Street Pavilion and The Star Arena, an outdoor music/entertainment venue on the bank of the Missouri River adjacent to the Ameristar II riverboat casino.

Catfishbend Casino, the only riverboat casino in the country to have two home ports (Burlington during the spring and summer and Fort Madison in the fall and winter), has taken on a new look. From bow to stern, the riverboat casino now sports a Mardi Gras theme and decor, complete with the new 300-seat Bourbon Street Buffet.

And, in case you haven't heard, "The Caribbean has come to Iowa." At least that's what the folks at the Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. will tell you. The Biloxi-based gaming company went on a buying spree in the Hawkeye State during the past two years, purchasing the Lady Luck Casinos in Bettendorf and Marquette and the President Riverboat Casino in Davenport. The former two riverboat facilities were decorated with the lively signature colors of the company and renamed Isle of Capri, while the aging President was replaced by the new Rhythm City Casino.

Minnesota

At Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, they raised the roof, literally, to allow for the installation of a new air ventilation system and mounted a huge dream catcher on the ceiling. The high-stakes gaming area, Plums snack shop and the Grand Advantage all have been given an Up North look with natural wood and stone.

Grand Casino Hinckley, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in May, is giving its gaming area a facelift with a Northwoods theme using natural wood, stone and carpet, and three-dimensional wildlife images. And casino patrons applaud Grand's decision to increase space between banks of slot machines.

Both gaming complexes operated by the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in north-central Minnesota sport fresh looks this summer. The new 80,000-square-foot Northern Lights Casino in Walker offers more than 1,000 slot machines, table games, two restaurants, a gift shop and a cabaret lounge.

The Palace Casino, two miles west of Cass Lake, celebrates the grand re-opening of its 80-room hotel in June. The totally refurbished lodging features 16 whirlpool-tub suites, an indoor swimming pool, two hot tubs and meeting rooms.

Seven Clans Casino Hotel & Water Park Resort in Thief River Falls is one of three gaming complexes operated by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa in northwest Minnesota. It boasts the largest casino indoor water park in the world and a new 151-unit, all-suite hotel. With the renovation and expansion of its gaming area complete and the opening of its 1950s-style Malt Shop & Grill last March, the casino is now constructing a full-service RV park.

Another Minnesota casino celebrating a birthday in May is the 10-year-old Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. Located just south of the Twin Cities in Prior Lake, the casino underwent a massive expansion a couple of years ago and now lays claim to one of the largest buffet-style restaurants in the Midwest. The Buffet is a 450-seat eatery featuring a "food theater," in which expert chefs prepare exotic and traditional specialties right before guests' eyes.

Treasure Island Resort & Casino, located in the river town of Red Wing, has just given two of its gaming areas a fresh look. The Tropical Rainforest Casino has been totally transformed with a bright, airy waterfront motif complete with boats and sailing flags. Fisherman's Wharf Casino, situated within the largest nonsmoking gaming area in the Midwest, becomes an extension of the Sapphire Sea Casino and sports blue neon lights and a beach mural. With the completion of the remodeling and reconfiguration project, Treasure Island now offers more than 2,400 slot machines and 56 table games.

Black Bear Casino & Hotel in Carlton is nearing the completion of its hotel renovation. Work on the 158-unit property, which is connected by a skywalk to the casino, includes new American Indian-themed carpeting, wallpaper, lobby furnishings and art. Work continues on Black Bear's 18-hole championship golf course, with a projected opening in summer 2003. The 30-station driving range, with putting green and practice sand bunker, will open this summer.

South Dakota

Several American Indian-operated casinos that also provide lodging and restaurants are located throughout the state, meaning plenty of opportunities to stop for relaxation and gaming along South Dakota's highways. But the state's biggest gaming attraction remains the historic town of Deadwood.

In 1989, when citizens approved the gaming referendum, the former gold-rush settlement became the third locale in the country to allow casino gambling. In 2000, the $5 wagering limit was raised to $100, and the gold rush was on again with gamblers from surrounding states flocking to Deadwood to make their fortunes. With the influx of tourists, and tourist dollars that followed, casino owners spruced up their properties and new projects were planned.

One of the latest upgrades in Deadwood occurred last November when Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort opened the AmericInn, a 103-unit property with an indoor pool and water slide, sauna and exercise room. The Four Aces followed suit last month with the opening of its Hampton Inn.

Wisconsin

The two-year-old Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee has developed a new entertainment strategy and patrons appear to be thrilled. The casino is no longer staging headline acts in its massive bingo hall. Instead, all top-name entertainers now perform in the 500-seat, cabaret-style Northern Lights Theater.

This June, the sprawling Oneida Bingo & Casino in Green Bay will complete the interior renovation of its main casino and the expansion of the adjacent Radisson Hotel & Conference Center. The lodging expansion includes the addition of 115 guestrooms and luxury suites, a restaurant, an expanded 24-hour Business Center, a 2,000-seat theater, and 30,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

Tucked away in the natural beauty of the Wisconsin Northwoods, the new RV park at Mohican North Star Casino & Bingo provides a perfect respite for a few days of fun and relaxation. Located 18 miles northwest of Shawano, the 57-site RV campground is equipped with 50/30/20-amp service, water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings and 24-hour security. If you like to test your luck on the links as well as at the casino, head over to Pine Hills. The challenging 18-hole course ranks as one of the state's premier golfing attractions.

The flagship of the Ho-Chunk Nation's three gaming properties in south-central Wisconsin is the Ho-Chunk Casino Hotel & Convention Center in Baraboo. Its latest expansion, which includes a near doubling of its gaming area, a 315-unit deluxe hotel and state-of-the-art convention center, makes it one of the largest American Indian casino operations in the country.

Catherine Jaeger. Managing editor of Midwest Gaming & Travel magazine. Raising The Bar. Home & Away Magazine. 2003.

Indian Casino A casino manager fights discrimination, regulations and ever-changing state policies during his career.

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