(NIOBRARA, NE) There's been a lot of talk about building a new casino in Sioux City. But there's already a new 61,000 square foot casino opening two hours west of town, at Niobrara, Nebraska: Ohiya Casino Resort.
The Santee Sioux Nation Tribe of Nebraska owns the casino and in their tribal language, Ohiya means win. Which is exactly what people at the new casino hope to do.
Ohiya Casino Resort was five years in the making.
"Some nights, people couldn't get in, because all the machines were taken, and there was no space," says Roger Trudell, Santee Sioux Nation Tribal Chairman
That's the reason the brand new casino was built. Because the last 17 years were spent in much tighter quarters.
"This is a lot nicer, than the one they moved from and the original one, this is beautiful compared to that original one which was about the size of a little garage," says Stanley Thompson, local gambler from Yankton, SD.
Now, a $20 million destination resort.
The Casino has more than 400 electronic gaming machines but that's not all, there's a lounge, a buffet, and even a hotel.
And future plans include an 18-hole European style golf course.
And as tradition calls for, a young tribe member performs a ceremonial dance.
Because, tribal leaders say this casino means far more to the youth and community.
"I think it gives our young people a lot of hope to see that things can actually be done and accomplished if you put your mind to it and you're willing to stick with it until it's accomplished," says Trudell. "I think it's a teaching tool as well as an economic development project."
The Casino has a lot of upcoming events. Check out the website: http://www.ohiyacasino.com/
Hleigh@siouxlandnews.com
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