RED LAKE, Minn. (AP) — The Red Lake Band of Ojibwe is opening a new casino, hotel and conference center on the reservation in northwestern Minnesota this week.
Grand opening events take place Thursday through Saturday.
According to a statement from the band, the casino was built with all-Indian funds. Instead of going to a traditional bank, Red Lake officials borrowed $31 million from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community, which runs Mystic Lake casino.
The Red Lake band will run the casino, which features a swooping eagle sculpture with a 30-foot wingspan. The new hotel will have 40 rooms, and a swimming pool carved in the shape of Upper and Lower Red Lake. The restaurant will seat 75, and an additional 25 on an outdoor patio in good weather. It will serve local walleye.
The gaming hall has 300 slot machines, four blackjack tables and two poker tables.