The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, opened the doors to its casino ahead of schedule.

The $157 million Gun Lake Casino was due to open at 12:01 this morning. But as a large crowd gathered in anticipation, the tribe said it would welcome customers at 10pm on Thursday.

That soon changed to 9:40pm, as the doors were flung open to more than 500 people who were waiting for their chance to gamble at the 1,400 slot machines and 28 table games inside the facility. “I might stay here until I need to go to work at 5 a.m.,” Marcia Hale told The Grand Rapids Press.

The casino will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Get the Story:
Gun Lake Casino in Wayland now open (WZZM-TV 2/11)
Gun Lake Casino opens, brings gambling on U.S. 131 between Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids (The Grand Rapids Press 2/11)
Casino Opening Ends Struggle; Applauded by Colleagues (WHTC 2/11)
Curious Crowd Checks Out Gun Lake Casino (WZKO 2/11)

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Gun Lake Tribe announces February 11 grand opening for casino (1/24)
Gun Lake Tribe close to announcing grand opening for new casino (1/20)
Gun Lake Tribe hopes new casino will improve lives for its people (1/14)
Gun Lake Tribe receives first shipment of slot machines for casino (12/7)
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More than 2000 file online applications for Gun Lake casino jobs (10/26)
Gun Lake Tribe plans to hire at least 700 people for first casino (10/14)