Gun Lake Casino Launches $10M Renovation Project
By
Jane Shaw
Senior Editor
Updated: 03/25/2024
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Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino in Wayland Township, Michigan is embarking on a $10 million interior renovation project that will significantly expand its dining and gaming offerings. The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, owns the casino and is funding the project through its tribal government budget. Construction began in mid-March and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The renovation will bring several exciting new additions to the casino, including a high-limit table games room, a new restaurant called Lucky Dragon Noodle Bar, and a redesigned Crossroads Casino Bar and lounge area. The project aims to enhance the overall guest experience and attract visitors from a wider geographic area.
New Asian Dining Concept and High-Stakes Gaming
One of the most anticipated features of the renovation is the Lucky Dragon Noodle Bar, which will be the casino’s fifth restaurant. The new dining spot will offer a variety of Asian cuisines, such as Chinese classics, Japanese sushi, and Vietnamese noodles. The casino is currently recruiting a chef for the restaurant, so the final menu is yet to be determined.
Jose Flores, General Manager of Gun Lake Casino, said:
We think a noodle bar is an exciting concept because it brings an element of dining and a variety of cuisine that we don’t currently have here at the facility.
The Lucky Dragon Noodle Bar will be situated adjacent to the new high-limit table games room, and it’s all designed to create a “relationship” between the two spaces. The gaming room will feature baccarat, a popular game among the casino’s growing number of Asian visitors, which is expected to complement the Asian-inspired food served at the new noodle restaurant.
Redesigned Bar and Lounge Area for Relaxing and Socializing
The renovation project also includes a complete overhaul of the existing Crossroads bar. The current space will be demolished and redesigned to feature separate but adjacent bar and lounge areas, each accommodating up to 40 guests. This new layout will provide patrons with a dedicated space to socialize and relax without necessarily engaging in gaming activities.
According to Flores, many guests want to be able to just sit with friends, relax, and have a drink – without sitting in front of a casino table game or slot machine. He states that, as of now, the casino doesn’t have such an area – so the newly renovated bar will be a welcome addition.
The interior renovation is taking place simultaneously with Gun Lake Casino’s $300 million, phase five expansion project. The larger expansion, set for completion in 2025, will add a 252-room hotel, a spa, multiple indoor swimming pools, new dining options, and an entertainment venue called Wawyé Oasis. The casino hopes to attract visitors from as far as Detroit and Chicago for weekend getaways once the hotel is operational.
While timelines are always subject to change, things appear to be well on track as of now – and it’s expected to bring well-needed additional revenue in for the casino.