Turning Stone -- Oneida Indian Nation's Turning Point ~
Casino entertains patrons, drives Nation's renewal
Once upon a time, in the mid-1970s, the Oneida Indian Nation's main
business was a twice-a-weekend bingo game. The bingo hall was a
double-wide trailer, and Ray Halbritter, now C.E.O.
Enterprises/Nation Representative, worked as the bingo caller. Games
were managed by a handful of employees and measured in hundreds
of dollars. During its first weekend of business, the bingo hall netted
a "whopping" profit of $150.
Today, the Oneida Indian Nation operates seven enterprises: Oneida
Indian Nation Bingo, Shako:wi Cultural Center, Oneida Textile
Printing, Gift and Smoke Shops, Oneida Petroleum, and one of the
most successful casino operations in North America. The Nation has
grown from four employees in the mid-80s to the area's second
largest employer today, with 2,000 employees currently on the
payroll. The Nation operates 15 offices and business operations, and
has weekly payroll costs in excess of $1 million per week.
Following the success of bingo hall, the Oneida Nation started other
successful enterprises and began adding many employees and
departments. In the summer of 1993, the Oneida Nation made history
with the startup of a new enterprise -- a casino.
Turning Stone is the first legal casino in New York State. It is
located on 200-plus acres of Indian land in Central New York. The
site is adjacent to New York State Thruway Exit 33 at Verona, 25
miles east of Syracuse and 20 miles west of Utica. The casino is open
24 hours a day, year-round.
The Oneida Indian Nation - New York State Class III Gaming
Compact allows for 26 different games of chance. Currently the
casino offers: Blackjack, Single Deck Blackjack, 21 Superbucks,
Craps, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride, Roulette, Mini-Baccarat,
Acey Deucey, Pai Gow Poker, Money Wheel, Fruit Wheel, Pull Tabs,
Keno, Instant Keno, and Instant Multi- Game (a new slotless gaming
technology developed by the Oneida Nation, patent pending).
The gaming floor has 112 gaming tables: 61 Blackjack (ranging from
$3 to $100 minimums); 6 Single Deck Blackjack (the only casino east
of the Mississippi to offer the hands- on-cards-style game); 12 Craps;
12 Roulette; 10 Caribbean Stud Poker; 6 21 Superbucks; 4 Let It
Ride; 2 Wheels; 2 Mini-Baccarat; 2 Pai Gow Poker; and 1 Acey
Deucey. More than 700 Instant Multi-Games fill large portions of the
casino floor.
Turning Stone's architecture features an E-glass roof line with
numerous curving arches and interior lines. It is designed to let in
natural light and is of a neutral grey color with turquoise exterior
accents. Natural textures are featured throughout light oak, stone-
like surfaces, tile and plants, accented by glittering decor and new
game signs. Once called the "quiet" casino, Turning Stone, with the
hundreds of "slotless multi-game machines, now has a distinctive
casino background sound.
The casino features a Keno Lounge, the Onyx, a nightclub/lounge,
and the Topaz Bar, a coffee bar. The Keno lounge is an area
separated from the gaming floor where patrons can relax in
comfortable theater-style seating. The Onyx is a neon-lit nightclub
with a nine-screen video wall, state-of-the-art sound and light
systems, and a stage for live music. The Topaz Bar specializes in
espresso and cappucino drinks and features a hammered copper and
brass espresso machine and 41 varieties of flavored coffee drinks, the
largest known selection in New York State. Also available are
delectables such as cheesecake, biscotti, and pasticotti. The beverage
menu features extensive juice, soda, and alcohol-free selections.
The Ruby Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and a family dinner buffet,
one of the largest hot-item selections in the region. The Sapphire
Steak and Seafood restaurant specializes in gourmet-style entrees and
is open nightly except Mondays and Tuesdays. A Smoke and Gift Shop
is located adjacent to the lobby. It offers gift merchandise including
garments, jewelry, other casino knickknacks, and discount priced
cigarettes.
No one under 18 is allowed on the gaming floor. Children under 18
who are accompanied by an adult may visit the gift shop and the
casino restaurants. The Nation maintains a fully alcohol-free
environment by choice.
A mile down the road from the casino is The Villages at Turning
Stone Recreational Vehicle Park. Located on 60 acres of beautifully
landscaped Nation land, the RV Park is divided into seven "villages"
ranging in size form 17 to 35 sites.
The 175-site park has many features which exceed national park
standards. Each site includes full hook-ups, a picnic table and a fire
pit. More than 1,000 trees, a nature trail, and three ponds enhance
the visitor's outdoor experience. Daily shuttle buses take patrons to
and from the casino. "Villages at Turning Stone" is AAA approved
and a Good Sampark. It also is highly ranked by Woodall's and
Trailer Life directories.
A 275-room upscale hotel complex with resort amenities is under
construction. The S- shaped hotel will connect to the front of the
casino and will feature sport/entertainment arena and
banquet/conference facilities. The Turning Stone Casino Hotel
Complex is the largest construction project in Upstate New York ($60
million). An expanded gaming area is under construction behind the
casino to house an expanded Oneida Indian Nation High Stakes Bingo
Hall and casino office space. Casino renovation is projected to be
completed by February 1996.
For more information contact Ken Zeszutko, media coordinator,
Nation Communications Department (315) 829-3090 or email the
Nation at umstead@oneida-nation.org.
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Daniel Umstead * The Oneida Indian Nation
Internet Coordinator *
Oneida Indian Nation * "The first Indian Nation on
315-361-6300 *
315-361-6333 (fax) * the World Wide Web"
umstead@oneida-nation.org *
* URL - http://nysernet.org/oneida/
*
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