The Washoe Tribe opened its first gaming facility, the Wa She Shu Casino, on Highway 395 just north of Garnerville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that featured a blessing by a Washoe tribal elder, the Tribe's Color Guard and a meeting of dignitaries.

The casino, whose name means "The People's Place", is the results of a novel tribe-to-tribe business relationship between the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Atmore, Alabama.

"Opening a casino and partnering with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is another step toward the Washoe Tribe's long run goal of monetary self-sufficiency," remarked Washoe tribal chair,  Neil Mortimer.  He continued, "WE'RE eager about the partnership and pleased to create job opportunities for our tribal members, in addition to local residents. The partnership between our tribe and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama is the primary of its kind. The Washoe Tribe is happy to partner with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and we're waiting for increasing the gaming and dining experience within the Carson Valley for both residents and visitors."

The 13,500 square foot facility boasts a 4,600 square foot gaming floor featuring 130 state-of-the-art games. Visitors can be in a position to enjoy a restaurant that comfortably seats 80 guests in addition to a bar. An extra 4,000 square feet is designated for future expansion of the gaming floor.

In addition to the development jobs that the casino development produced over the last few months, the finished Wa She Shu Casino is generating approximately 70 new jobs. 

Stephanie Bryan, tribal chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians said, "It wasn't goodbye ago that we were building our first gaming facility in hopes that it could provide a brighter future for our people. We believe that it's a part of our obligation, as Indian people, to support others of their efforts to reach financial security. We're thrilled that we will be able to play a job in to ensure that the Washoe Tribe can use its land to higher the lives in their Tribal members."

The revenues from the casino will provide funding for essential services for Washoe tribal members including infrastructure needs and healthcare. The entire project investment totaled an estimated $8 million.

 Arthur Mothershed, vice chairman of industrial development for Wind Creek Hospitality (the Poarch Creek's gaming business) and a Poarch Creek tribal council member, noted, "Our tribe knows all too well the challenges faced by the Washoe Tribe. Fortunately, within the last ten years, now we have been capable of overcome lots of those obstacles, and we're both honored and excited to have had the chance to share our success and data with the Washoe Tribe as their partners in this extremely important project."  

The Wa She Shu Casino is adjacent to the Wa She Shu Travel Plaza which the tribe opened earlier this year, also in partnership with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The casino offers a "hometown" atmosphere and 360-degree views of the Sierra Mountains. There are designated areas for trucks and RVs inside the lighted off-street parking.

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]