Gun Lake Casino Announces $300 Million Expansion, With New Resort Coming To West Michigan

Gun Lake Casino in Wayland will become a future hotel resort after the completion of a $300 million expansion, the Gun Lake Tribe announced Monday.

Designs for the 250-room resort in the Grand Rapids area will begin after the current expansion project is complete. The current expansion has construction slated for this summer. The project includes two new restaurants, enhanced entertainment at Stage 131 sports lounge and a new high-limit gaming area.

The hotel facility will include a full-service spa and restaurant.

“We are proud of the continued growth of Gun Lake Casino, which is directly connected to the outstanding effort of our team members,” Gun Lake Tribe Chairman Bob Peters said in a statement. “The Tribe remains steadfastly committed to reinvest in our collective future, for the benefit of tribal citizens, team members and the local community.

“This will provide even more employment opportunities and enhance Gun Lake Casino’s position as a tourism driver for western Michigan.”

The construction will add approximately 250,000 square feet to the property. The property will extend west toward US Highway 131. It’s the largest expansion to date for the property, which opened in 2011.

Pool during the day, live music space at night

The Gun Lake Casino hotel expansion will include a glass-domed pool and entertainment space. A combination of live music, DJs and dancing are planned at night for the space.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the reputation as a leading entertainment and gaming destination in Michigan,” said Sal Semola, president and chief operating officer of Gun Lake Casino, in the statement. “As a vital business in Allegan County, we recognize our ability to invest in our local community.

“The elevation of our offered amenities drives our economy through tourism and directly impacts the livelihood of local citizens through the development of new job opportunities.”

No online sports betting yet for Gun Lake

Gun Lake Casino added retail sports betting in October. The property has yet to launch online products, however, through its partnership with Parx Casino in Pennsylvania. There are 12 active MI online sportsbooks. The Parx partnership and two others should launch this year.

The casino had a 21.4% drop in slot machine revenue in 2020, per last week’s annual Indian Gaming report. Gun Lake still earned $184.2 million from slots last year.

Gun Lake offering $20 free slot play for vaccinated

Customers who present their completed COVID-19 vaccination record card can receive $20 in free slot machine play at Gun Lake through May 31. The card must show record of two shots of the Morderna or Pfizer vaccines or one Johnson & Johnson shot.

You must be a Gun Lake Casino Rewards member to collect, but you can register for membership for free.