
Grand Falls Casino Resort in Larchwood, IA (near Sioux Falls, SD) began construction this summer on an 18-hole golf course which is set to open in 2014. The course, designed by Rees Jones and Bryce Swanson, will be located on 155 acres of rolling terrain directly adjacent to the casino. Each hole will be blended with the natural landscape and will feature panoramic views of the pastoral countryside, resulting in a memorable golfing experience. Grand Falls Casino Resort features a 12,000 sq. ft. events center which can seat up 1,100 and can be used for weddings, parties, conferences or performances. For smaller groups, Grand Falls also offers five additional meeting rooms, with spaces that include a view of the scenic Iowa countryside. The Casino also recently opened an RV park for visitors. For more information, visit www.grandfallscasinoresort.com.

Potawatomi Bingo Casino, located near downtown Milwaukee, recently broke ground on a new $150 million hotel. The 381-room, 20-story hotel will connect to the casino and include expanded meeting space, which will feature some unique rooms for clients to host events. It will also include a full-service spa, a casual dining restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar. Anticipated completion is 2014. The 780,000 sq. ft. casino currently has 43,000 sq. ft. of meeting space (including its Expo Center which is currently undergoing renovations), its Woodland Dreams Ballroom and its Tribal Room. The casino also has 3,100 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, a 1,300-seat bingo hall, five full-service restaurants and a 500-seat theater. For more information, visit www.paysbig.com.
Menominee Casino Resort located in Keshena, WI, has added a VIP Lounge for its Maple Level Players, and completely renovated its Forest Island Restaurant. The casino is also planning on replacing all carpet and wall coverings on the gaming floor by year’s end. The Menominee Casino Resort has 13,000 sq. ft. of meeting space for events up to 500 people, including a Grand Ballroom which opens to 8,100 sq. ft. or divides into four ballroom salons. For more information, visit www.menomineecasinoresort.com.
MGM Grand Detroit Updates its F&B Outlets
MGM Grand Detroit’s restaurants and nightlife are getting exciting enhancements and some are being completely made over. Breeze - the quick food service area with five distinct dining experiences has added a fiesta for your taste buds with a Mexican fare. In fall, the MGM Grand Detroit will introduce an incredible new sports pub that will pay homage to Michigan’s industrial and architectural history, as well as celebrate downtown Detroit and its great sporting heritage. The MGM Grand Detroit has 30,000 sq. ft. of functional event space for accommodating private parties, conferences and events up to 1,200 people, including a Grand Ballroom which opens to 14,000 sq. ft. or divides into four pillar-less ballroom salons. For more information, visit www.mgmgranddetroit.com.
Hollywood Casino Opens at the Kansas Speedway
Earlier this year, the Village West area in Kansas City, Kan., opened its first casino, the Hollywood Casino. A joint venture between Kansas Speedway and Penn National Gaming, the initial phase of the new $396 million complex at Turn 2 includes a 80,000+ square-foot gaming floor with 2,000 slot machines and 52 table games. There is also a sports bar, buffet and upscale steak house in the facility. Phase Two of the facility will include a minimum 250-room hotel. No construction start date has been set yet for Phase Two. For more information, visit www.hollywoodcasinokansas.com.

Rock Gaming LLC has partnered with Caesars Entertainment, the world’s largest gaming company, to develop and operate first-class casinos in downtown Cleveland and downtown Cincinnati under the Horseshoe brand.
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, a $350 million project located in the historic Higbee Building opened on May 14, 2012 as Ohio’s first casino. The 300,000 sq. ft. facility features more than 2,100 slot machines, 65 table games and a World Series of Poker room with 30 tables. The facility also includes a 400 seat buffet, three outlet food courts and two bars.
Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati is a $400 million development on a 20-acres site in Cincinnati’s northeast side known as Broadway Commons. The 354,000 sq. ft. facility, which will open in spring 2013, will feature 2,000 slot machines, 85 table games and a World Series of Poker room with 31 poker tables. The casino will also include three outward facing restaurants to engage pedestrians and support existing businesses, cultural, nightlife and sports attractions downtown, and a 19,000 sq. ft. ballroom complemented by pre-function and outdoor balcony spaces. For more information, visit www.HorseshoeOhio.com.