The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, saw massive crowds for the opening weekend of its new casino.

Turnout was so large that police had to shut down access points to the $157 million Gun Lake Casino on Friday and again on Saturday. The facility was at full capacity and all 2,500 spots in the parking lot were taken.

“Demand is extraordinary and we are excited about the public response,” David Frankhouser, the vice president and assistant general manager of the casino, told The Grand Rapids Press. “The safety of our guests comes first and therefore we are being very cautious about our judgment of building capacity.”

Get the Story:
Gun Lake Casino Off to Roaring Start (WHTC-TV 2/14)
Popularity forces police to shutdown southbound U.S. 131 offramp near Gun Lake Casino again Saturday (The Grand Rapids Press 2/12)
Would-be gamblers turned away from crowded Gun Lake Casino vow to return (The Grand Rapids Press 2/12)

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Gun Lake Tribe readies for grand opening of first casino on Friday (2/10)
Gun Lake Tribe won't let litigation delay opening of gaming facility (1/27)
Land-into-trust issues cloud gaming plans for at least two tribes (1/25)
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)