Thu, Nov 26 2009
|
|
Published July 05, 2008 09:30 pm - OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — It took about one minute for Carol Murphy to see a return on her investment at the penny slot machine at the Downstream Casino Resort Saturday. More than 10,000 pack casino for opening day By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com OTTAWA COUNTY, Okla. — It took about one minute for Carol Murphy to see a return on her investment at the penny slot machine at the Downstream Casino Resort Saturday. “I just hit for $26,” said Murphy, who along with her husband, left their home in Springfield and arrived about 8 a.m. in order to be among the first people at the casino’s grand opening. “It’s the bottom jackpot. I wish it could have been the $5,000 one, but it wasn’t.” With long lines of cars and people, other gamblers wound up having to wait longer for a shot at prosperity. David Maugans and his mother, Phyllis, said they waited in traffic for more than an hour to get into the parking lot. “I’m worried about what it’s going to be like when we leave,” said Phyllis, who drove from Independence, Kan. “If I have to wait like that to get out, I’m not going to have enough gas to get home.” Traffic was backed up along Interstate 44 and Kansas Highway 166. The casino is built on Oklahoma land near the junction of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. The parking lot is in Kansas. Officials with the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma said they hope the traffic is a sign they made a wise investment. Tribal officials said more than 10,000 people packed the gaming floor within the first hour of business. “It’s a completely full house,” said Sean Harrison, a spokesman for the tribe. “Ten thousand people in the first hour pretty much speaks for itself.” While thousands rushed to play video poker, slot machines and blackjack, Harry Kelley headed for the Legends sports bar to cool off with a drink after waiting outside for more than an hour in the heat. “With this building here, they’re getting to be like Las Vegas casinos,” said Kelley, a retired truck driver from Joplin. “The scenery outside reminds me of Tahoe more than anything.” Manhattan Construction Co. of Tulsa is doing some of the work on the $301 million project, which also includes the 13-story hotel that is to open later. Construction of the casino took just 10 months and 26 days, something tribal leaders said was initially thought to be impossible. “We built something faster, quicker and bigger than anybody in history has done,” said J.R. Mathews, vice chairman of the Downstream Development Authority. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Local News section
Hundreds served at churches, shelters in Joplin area Budget cuts, enrollment declines take toll at some Kansas schools PSU planning forums to discuss latest round of Kansas budget cuts |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Locals react with dismay to new breast cancer screening guidelines w/ new cancer screening recommendations and American Cancer Society response
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
|||||||
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
