ONAWA, Iowa - Hundreds of slot machines are chiming and pinging away inside the newly reopened CasinOmaha in rural Monona County.
Employees say the neon lights of the once-shuttered casino, a significant employer for the Omaha Tribe, are a welcome sight.
Chief Executive Officer Bill Walsh, Sr., said things are
“It was here all along,” Walsh said. “It was just a matter of getting it together.”
The refurbished facility includes 415 new coinless slot machines on its 10,000-square-foot gaming floor, which officials plan to expand to 430 machines. The new machines, which issue tickets instead of coins, replaced the outdated coin-operated models the casino used in the past.
Although it operates mostly new machines, Walsh said they also use 64 of the older machines because customers wanted them back. The older models were modified so they, like the new machines, are also coinless.
In addition to adding new machines, Walsh said officials checked out the competition and set the takeout on the CasinOmaha machines one percent lower than other casinos.
“We feel that by setting the machines lower, people can leave here with a little money,” Walsh said.
Dark Days
The casino has come a long ways since it closed in late June, 2009, a few weeks after the National Indian Gaming Commission recommended it close temporarily. The commission, which oversees operation of American Indian casinos, informed the casino it had not filed the necessary quarterly statement and fees for the first three quarters of 2008.
The casino laid off 185 workers when it closed on June 30, 2009. Currently, there are 112 staff members. A total of 135 are expected after the restaurant opens in April.
Walsh said the casino had a distinctly abandoned look when he arrived a year after the closure.
“When I first saw this last June it looked like a hurricane hit it,” said Walsh. “I almost didn’t take the job.”
The casino closed amid an ambitious $3.23 million project that called for more gaming and entertainment space and long-range plans for a hotel, water park and golf course.
StoreVisions, an Omaha contractor, filed mechanic’s liens against the casino and other tribal property, alleging it wasn’t paid for nearly $500,000 in work it did to the foundation and other work at the casino and tribally owned fuel plaza.
It is unclear what impact the liens could have on the tribal property, which is held in a trust by the U.S. government.
The Omaha tribe also owed an unspecified amount on a $3 million loan from Minnesota’s Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Tribe, which operates casinos just south of the Twin Cities.
Officials now plan to expand the casino’s operation in the next five to 10 years, Walsh said, and are still considering the long-range goal of building a hotel.
More immediately, they want to reopen the shuttered fuel depot across the street. The Tribe is also considering putting video-lottery terminals, which are similar to slot machines, in the station once it reopens, Walsh said.
Changes
CasinOmaha underwent extensive renovation and internal reorganization during its dark period.
In addition to bring in Walsh, a gaming industry veteran known for introducing Pai Gow Poker to the industry, the casino recently hired Nate Gilpin, an Omaha tribal member, who started as general manager March 15. Joseph Eve Corp, has been hired to act as a chief financial officer to provide financial oversight, Walsh said.
Three members of the Blackbird Bend Corp., which was formed in November 2009, also provide oversight to casino operations.
Those involved in running the casino now take a hands-on approach to operations, Walsh said, working as a cohesive group to accomplish the main goal of being an employer for the Tribe.
“We are here, after all, to supply jobs for the tribal members,” Walsh said.
Physically, workers remodeled the bathrooms, floors, replaced the sprinkler system and installed a new security system, Walsh said. They also made cosmetic repairs to the outside of the building and upgraded the lighting in the parking lot.
It is also adding new on-site promotions and plans to advertise in the Sioux City-area media. Officials are also increasing the casino’s online presence through a Facebook page and it’s Website, www.newcasinomaha.com.
Cora Freemont, CasinOmaha’s marketing and guest services manager, said the reopening of the casino created again jobs for the Omaha Tribe.
“They’re excited that it’s back open again,” said Freemont, an enrolled tribal member.
Fellow tribal member Linda Freemont, who works in security, said the closure caused hardship for many people. Many saw the end coming before it happened, she said, but are enthusiastic about having CasinOmaha open again.
“It feels great to be back … a lot of new faces, a lot of old faces,” said Freemont, who also worked for CasinOmaha before it closed. “The opportunity is wonderful to be able to come back and work for my Tribe.”
Walsh said CasinOmaha’s employees strive to give people a friendly, enjoyable experience. “When they leave, we want everybody to be happy and enjoy themselves,” Walsh said.
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