RIVERTON - The Northern Arapaho Tribe's latest business venture, the new 45,000-square-foot Wind River Casino, opened in June with round after round of grand opening parties, designed to let everyone involved in the 20-year effort share in the celebration.

The roots of the new casino were planted in 1988 when a group of tribal leaders opened a modest bingo hall in what was a failed trucking distribution center one half mile to the north of the new casino. The 789 Bingo Hall grew until it became clear that the market for casino-style gaming would support a larger venue.

The new casino is more than twice the size of the old facility, and sophisticated lighting, a top-of-the-line sound system, flat-screen televisions, plush carpet and furnishings underscore the fact that this casino has come of age.

There are 750 Las Vegas-style gaming machines in the new casino, 80 of which are in a separate non-smoking section. Popular gaming machines include Wolf Run, Coyote Moon, Triple Double Diamonds, Diamonds and Devils, Double Diamonds Strike, Outback Jack, Moon Festival, Dragon's Tale and many others. Eight gaming tables complete the illusion that patrons could well be in Sin City instead of on a bluff overlooking the Wind River.

In addition, the casino offers a variety of dining choices including the elegant Red Willow Restaurant which features organic beef produced by the tribe's own ranching operation. A sidewalk-style café with house specials that include Indian tacos and fry bread and an espresso station complete the dining options.

The casino is already open 24 hours a day. The plan is for the restaurants to be open all the time as well.

While there is no alcohol or leggy showgirls at this casino, there is plenty of room for entertainment and special events. A separate 4,500-square-foot space with stage and seating for 400 people - 200 for dining - will be available for meetings and conventions.

During the summer, the casino will also showcase the Northern Arapaho culture with "The Northern Arapaho Experience" song, dance and storytelling on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

"Sacred and social gambling has been practiced by our people for centuries," said Northern Arapaho Business Council Chairman Anthony A. Addison during the opening ceremony. "The establishment of this casino is not only an acknowledgement of our rich cultural tradition, but it represents the best economic development efforts to provide new careers in the tourism and hospitality industries for our people."

According to CEO Jim Conrad, the casino currently employs 450 people, mostly tribal members. Conrad explained that his staff receives additional job training through the BOCES program at Central Wyoming College. The training, combined with on-the-job experience, will make his employees highly attractive to other employers anywhere.

The Wind River Casino is the flagship of the Northern Arapaho tribe's fleet of gaming operations. Its "sister ships" include the original 789 Bingo Hall, now renamed the 789 Smoke Shop and Casino, and the Little Wind Casino which opened in 2006 in Ethete, the seat of the Northern Arapaho government.

The 20,000-square-foot 789 Smoke Shop and Casino has gaming machines as well as bingo. The Little Wind Casino is just under 10,000 square feet and offers 140 Las Vegas-style machines in two separate gaming areas. Both of the smaller casinos offer a convenience store with either a deli or cafe, ATM machine and a tribal gas station. The two smaller casinos employ a total of 120 people.



Wyoming Business Report Daily Editor MJ Clark can be reached at wbr.mjclark@wyoming.com or news@wyoming.com or the Lander office, 307-332-0433.