The crowd awaits the opening of the Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango, New York. Photo from Facebook
The Oneida Nation of New York welcomed large crowds to the Yellow Brick Road Casino on Tuesday. More than 1,500 people were in line for the grand opening, The Syracuse Post-Standard reported. Some even waited overnight to be among the first to enter the $20 million facility. “Today was a very exciting day for the Oneida Nation, our employees, and the entire community as we introduced Central New York to Yellow Brick Road Casino at our fantastic grand opening event," tribal representative Ray Halbritter said in a press release.
The Cyclone of Cash grab game at the Yellow Brick Road Casino takes inspiration from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Photo from Phoenix Welding & Fabricating / Facebook
The casino is located in Chittenango, the birthplace of author L. Frank Baum. The 67,000 square-foot facility and its amenities take inspiration from the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. "This all-new, state-of-the-art gaming and entertainment venue, which aligns perfectly with the unique Oz identity of Chittenango, has already created hundreds of local jobs and will continue to build up Central New York tourism by attracting locals and tourists alike," Halbritter said. The tribe also operates the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, about 18 miles away. The new facility is seen as a way to address growing competition for gaming dollars in New York -- a commercial facility is opening on the edge of the tribe's exclusivity zone. Get the Story:
Hundreds line up for Yellow Brick Road Casino opening; some wait overnight (The Syracuse Post-Standard 6/2)
'Wizard of Oz'-themed strip mall casino opens (AP 6/2)
Betting on Baum: Oneida Nation unveils Yellow Brick Road Casino (The Utica Observer-Dispatch 6/3)
Yellow Brick Road Casino draws crowd to Chittenango (The Oneida Daily Dispatch 6/3)
Tribe Opening New Casino Says a Competitor’s Site Is Too Close for Comfort (The New York Times 6/3)
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