Gun Lake Casino celebrates Year One

BRADLEY, Mich. (WOOD) - It was years in the making and often at the center of intense legal battles.

On Friday the Gun Lake Casino is celebrating its one-year anniversary. It was scheduled to open at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 11, 2011. But with such a huge crowd outside, the first gamblers walked through the doors just before 10 p.m. the night before.

Twice a year the casino near Wayland gives checks to state and local governments as a part of a revenue sharing program. Checks in June 2011 and November 2011 totaled nearly $8 million to the state and more than $2 million to the local community.

Allegan County Commissioner Mark DeYoung said the checks are saving jobs in the community.

As a result of that money, students no longer have to pay to play sports at Wayland middle and high school, according to casino officials.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary, the casino will be giving away more than $500,000 in cash and prizes throughout the entire month of February, including giving away a new car every Sunday.

Guests can earn entries into the Sunday Cars & Cash Anniversary Bash promotion each week in February, with cash drawings from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the grand prize cash drawing at 6 p.m.

Every Tuesday and Thursday in February, one lucky guest will be selected to step into a cash cube of blowing money to grab up to $22,000 in cash, every hour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests can earn entries into the cash cube promotion every week.

Guests can also enjoy 50% off at Sandhill Café every Monday and Wednesday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.