Oneida Nation sees huge turnout for opening of new $20M casino

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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) Related Stories:
Oneida Nation opens doors to $20M Yellow Brick Road Casino (6/2)
Oneida Nation close to opening of new gaming facility on June 2 (05/21)
Oneida Nation sets June 2 opening for Yellow Brick Road Casino (04/30)
Oneida Nation to announce opening date of new gaming facility (04/21)
Oneida Nation delays debut of casino with 'Wizard of Oz' theme (4/14)
Opinion: Oneida Nation casino grows without state interference (4/13)
Oneida Nation won't renew liquor store lease for Class II casino (02/10)
Oneida Nation stands by 'Wizard of Oz' theme for Class II casino (02/09)
Ray Halbritter: Author's family apologized for anti-Indian stance (01/16)
Ernestine Chasing Hawk: Suffering continues after Wounded Knee (01/16)
Doug George-Kanentiio: Don't blame Oneidas for tribe's actions (12/31)
Ernestine Chasing Hawk: Tribe honors man who pushed genocide (12/29)
Oneida Nation plans to open $20M 'Wizard of Oz'-themed casino (12/22)