After plenty of controversy and debate, a new Northern Michigan casino is now open.
The Odawa Casino in Mackinaw City opened its doors Wednesday.
The 5,000 square foot facility features 120 machines in Mackinaw City.
The village rejected the casino last October, but the tribe still went forward with their plans.
People are out enjoying some free food and checking out the new facility.
The $2.5 million project was completed in just four short months, in time for the busy summer tourism season in Northern Michigan.
They we’re hoping to build a class three casino that would have different slot machines, but the village of Mackinaw City council voted that down.
They were able to move forward without approval from the city for this type of casino.
They’re hoping to have a successful season and expand from there.
“The property does have plans to expand next year into an addition of an RV park, and if the property is successful, then the next year we will expand this property into a larger property to maybe 400 games with a bar and a grill at that time,” says general manager Eric McLester.
Odawa hopes to eventually make improvements to get that class three casino they were looking for.
They plan on continuing to work with the village to make that happen.
Coming up tonight on 9&10 News, we’ll bring you more from the exciting opening of the new Odawa Casino.
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