Pokagon Band makes history with opening of first tribal casino in Indiana

Wednesday, January 17, 2018  

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is welcoming visitors to its historic casino in Indiana.

The Four Winds Casino in South Bend debuted on Wednesday. The 175,000 square-foot facility features 1,800 games, four restaurants, a players lounge, a coffee shop, three bars, a retail outlet and about 4,500 parking spaces. It employs more than 1,200 people.

“From the moment of groundbreaking through this ribbon cutting, the positive support from local, county and state governments has been extraordinary,” Chairman John P. Warren said in a press release. “We could not have done this without the support of many people and agencies. We also extend our gratitude to the Pokagon Elders Council and Pokagon Gaming Authority, along with the entire tribal government. Without their knowledge and guidance, we would not be here today.”

Four Winds is the first tribal gaming facility in Indiana. It's located on a 166-acre site that was placed in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the first acquisition of its type in the state.

The tribe operates three additional Four Winds facilities in neighboring Michigan.

Read More on the Story:
Indiana's newest casino — and first tribal casino — is now open in South Bend (The Indianapolis Star January 16, 2018)
South Bend's Four Winds Casino opens as first tribal casino in Indiana (WSBT January 16, 2018)
South Bend Casino Opens As First Indiana Tribal Casino (The Associated Press January 16, 2018)
Four Winds casino in South Bend will shake up gaming industry (The South Bend Tribune January 14, 2018)
Why no table games at new South Bend casino? (The South Bend Tribune January 14, 2018)
Law of the Land: A look at tribal police training ahead of South Bend casino opening (WSBT January 11, 2018)
New South Bend casino opening Tuesday (WLFI January 10, 2018)
Get a look inside the new Four Winds South Bend casino (MLive January 9, 2018)
A sneak peek into South Bend's Four Winds Casino (WSBT January 9, 2018)

Federal Register Notices:
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Michigan and Indiana (November 29, 2016)
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Fee-to-Trust Transfer for Tribal Village and Casino, City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana (March 12, 2015)
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Pokagon Band Tribal Village Fee-to-Trust Acquisition and Casino Project in the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, IN (August 24, 2012)

Pokagon Band announces January 16 debut of first tribal casino in Indiana (January 9, 2018)
Pokagon Band debuts police station to service site of new casino in Indiana (November 21, 2017)
Pokagon Band not in a rush to negotiate Class III gaming compact for new facility (August 29, 2017)
Pokagon Band on track to open first gaming facility in Indiana in January 2018 (August 22, 2017)
Pokagon Band on hiring spree as first tribal casino in Indiana takes shape (July 24, 2017)
Pokagon Band expects to open gaming facility in Indiana in early 2018 (July 13, 2017)
Pokagon Band secures approval for alcohol ordinance in Indiana (November 29, 2016)
Pokagon Band secures historic approval to restore homeland in Indiana (November 23, 2016)