Gun Lake Casino recently completed construction on its 16-story hotel and opened its doors to the public last week in what is expected to be an economic boost to the region.
Las Vegas in Wayland
A bit of Las Vegas pizazz has come to Wayland, Michigan, in the form of a sparkling new $300 million resort hotel located at the Gun Lake Casino. The glimmering glass structure rises 16 stories and boasts 252 rooms, including a spa, café, and 31 suites.
“It says casino on the front door, but for all intents and purposes, we’re in the entertainment business, and this expansion right now will bring the total investment from the tribe to $750 million,” Sal Semola, CEO of Gunlake Casino Resort, said.
Standard room rates are relatively reasonable at just shy of $200 per night. But for those seeking more opulent accommodations, the most luxurious VIP suite is the Ogema penthouse, which spans two floors and includes a full bar, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an in-suite elevator starting at $2000 per night.
Semola said, “Having the hotel is going to be a game changer for us. I would expect every weekend the hotel should be at full capacity.”
Gun Lake Casino Expansion
Now that the casino has a glitzy hotel sitting next to it, the casino is in the process of upgrading its aesthetics with the primary attraction being the new entertainment center, the Wawye Oasis. The towering 32,000-square-foot glass atrium will feature two pools, private cabanas, and a tropical theme including live palm trees, which is scheduled to open in May 2025.
Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of the Pottawatomi Tribe, and it features 2,300 slot machines, over 50 table games, a live poker room, keno, and the Stage 131 Sportsbook named after U.S. 131 running between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.
The casino opened in 2011, and 10 years later, in July 2021, it received permission from the Michigan Gaming Control Board to launch its retail and online sportsbook through a partnership with Parx Interactive. The State 131 Sportsbook and Lounge underwent a $100 million expansion with the agreement.
“We are thrilled to announce the official debut of Gun Lake Casino’s online sportsbook. Our dedication to providing an exceptional sports betting experience has now been expanded to a convenient and accessible service online,” said Jose Flores, vice president and general manager for Gun Lake Casino at the time.
“The combination of our partnership with Parx Casino and the Kambi platform has allowed us to create an online sports betting option that reflects Gun Lake Casino’s unsurpassed standards. We could not be more excited to provide players with the latest high-quality sportsbook in the state of Michigan,” he added.
