Wind Creek Bethlehem has completed the rebranding of its newest casino, five months after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board approved the $1.3bn sale of the property.
The former Las Vegas Sands entity was secured by the PCI Gaming Authority which does business as Wind Creek Hospitality, an instrumentality of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Becoming the tenth such facility operated by the gaming and hospitality company, it comes as Wind Creek Hospitality strive to deliver “a best-in-class, Las Vegas-style resort”.
Located 80 miles from New York City, the property now encapsulates a 282-room AAA four diamond hotel, a 183,000 square foot casino floor featuring 3,000 slots and electronic table games and 200 table games, numerous food and beverage outlets, a 150,000 square foot retail mall and a multi-purpose event centre.
Furthermore, WCH also anticipates an immediate effort to expand the property to include construction of a 300-room hotel adjacent to the casino, in addition to plans to move forward with renovation of the existing Machine Shop 2 which it is said could become an indoor water park.
Jay Dorris, Wind Creek president and chief executive officer, said of the rebrand: “Our team has worked to preserve what makes the property a special part of the Bethlehem community while introducing the Wind Creek brand, our Wind Creek Rewards program and our focus towards guest service. We invite everyone to come visit and see why they belong at Wind Creek Bethlehem.”
Grand opening festivities included performances by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians tribal dancers and a visit by tribal princesses.
Other activities included a ribbon cutting ceremony, special gaming promotions and the announcement of WCB’s $25,000 charity giving contest winners.
Arthur Mothershed, PCI tribal council member and WCH VP of business development, added: “This is a proud day for our tribe. We are pleased to be part of the Lehigh Valley community and look forward to continued expansion at this facility, and offering additional jobs and economic growth to the surrounding areas.”