BAY MILLS — Although it has changed names a number of times since it opened its doors, Kings Club Casino has been a fixture in the Bay Mills Indian Community since 1984.
Not only was the gaming establishment the first of its kind in Bay Mills, it also started a trend. As the first tribal casino in North America, Kings Club opened the doors for the proliferation of tribal casinos all over the United States.
“Kings Club has come a long way,” said Brenda Carrick, casino manager. “It is a good feeling to see the casino still going strong after all these years.”
Opening as the Bay Mills Blackjack Casino on July 4, 1984, the casino proved popular with local patrons.
But even with its popularity, the new casino saw turbulent beginnings, as Native American gaming was not yet legal in the United States.
Andrew LeBlanc served as the first manager of the casino, bearing witness to Kings Club's troubled beginnings. The original employees were volunteers, as there was no startup budget for the operation.
Despite shutdowns, new names, and threats of legal action from the state of Michigan, the casino persevered, gaining in popularity and eventually setting the course for legal tribally-owned gambling facilities.
Kings Club saw expansion in 1990, and then a three-month closure for renovation in 1995, coinciding with the opening of Bay Mills Resort & Casino.
Among it's firsts, the casino was the first in the state of Michigan to offer Keno and slot machines.
Now at 20 years, Kings Club is still going strong.
“It's hard to believe that Kings Club has come so far,” said Carrick, explaining that the casino now occupies the old Bay Mills Head Start building.
The casino staff, highly praised by the patrons, are planning to mark the anniversary in style.
“We will be giving away $5,000 in cash prizes,” said Dee Bowen, one of the casino's original employees.
On Feb. 20, the Kings Club staff will hold their birthday party, serving cake and champagne throughout the day, as well as giving out $200 cash prizes every half hour and giving away $2,000 at midnight.
