White Earth Band celebrates 20th birthday of gaming facility

Tuesday, May 15, 2012  

The White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indians in Minnesota is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Shooting Star Casino.

The tribe opened the facility in a temporary building in November 1991. The actual casino opened in May 1992 and now includes 72,055 square-feet of gaming space, a 15,000-square-foot concert venue, 30,000 square feet of event space and a 386-room hotel.

“The Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center has been a significant benefit to economy of the northwestern part of Minnesota. Not only the White Earth Reservation, but the overall economy,” Chairwoman Erma Vizenor told The Park Rapids Enterprise. “Our gaming industry is very important to us.”

The tribe employs about 1,000 people at the facility, with wages and benefits accounting for about $27 million each year. The casino has an annual impact of $7 million to $8 million on the local economy, a spokesperson said.

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Shooting Star Casino celebrates its 20th birthday (The Park Rapids Enterprise 5/15)