Spirit Mountain Casino: Bingo hall out! Slot machines in!
Officials at the Spirit Mountain Casino in Grand Ronde, Oregon, revealed plans to close the tribal gaming venue's bingo hall, and use the space for the casino's slot machines. Greg Fritz, the venue's marketing manager, was reported as saying that slots are likely to be more profitable than bingo, and that the space is needed to accommodate visitors who wish to gamble in non-smoking areas.
However, the slots location shift is reportedly only phase one of Spirit Mountain's plan to expand the venue's gambling operations. The casino hopes to further enlarge the number of slot machines operated at the facility and add more gaming tables as well. Fritz also said that, although the casino understands the bingo player's complaints regarding the closure of the bingo hall, space is of the utmost importance.
The casino's plan to purchase and install new slots is subject to approval by state and federal regulators. Currently, the compact between the government and the Grand Ronde community is being renegotiated. The negotiations involve the governor's office and the gaming enforcement division of the Oregon State Police. Even if a new compact is ultimately not approved, the casino intends to use the bingo hall for other purposes.
