Indian Gaming

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska held a grand reopening for its Class III gaming facility in Iowa.

The $12 million Blackbird Bend Casino is named for Chief Blackbird, who managed tribal trade routes in the late 1700s. The facility features 350 slot machines, table games and a buffet.

"This is an historic event for the Omaha people because the casino really is an economic engine. It provides funds for housing and education and healthcare. So it's real great to be able to employ people again and give back to the tribal community," Kurt Schmidt, the CEO of the casino, said at a reopening ceremony on Friday, KMEG reported.

The tribe will soon offer bingo games at the casino. And there are plans to add a hotel, bowling alley, marina and a golf course.

The tribe put about 200 to work, most of them from the old CasinOmaha, which was forced to close in June 2011 due to flooding on the Missouri River.

Get the Story:
New casino near Onawa now open (Radio Iowa 2/24)
Omaha Tribe christens new Onawa casino (AP 2/23)
More amenities eyed for new tribal casino in Monona County (The Sioux City Journal 2/22)
New Casino Opens (ABC5 2/22)
Blackbird Bend Casino opens near Onawa, Iowa; bingo hall on the way (The Omaha World-Herald 2/22)
New casino helps wash away pains from flood (KTIV 2/21)
Blackbird Bend Casino Celebrates Grand Opening (KCAU 2/21)
Blackbird Bend Casino Celebrates Grand Re-Opening (KMEG 2/21)

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Omaha Tribe set to welcome visitors to new casino in Iowa (02/10)