Posted on: November 14, 2024, 04:59h.
Last updated on: November 14, 2024, 04:59h.
A travel plaza in Mississippi opening next month will feature not only fuel and convenience items but also slot machines and sports betting.
Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE), a subsidiary of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, announced this week that its Crystal Sky Travel Plaza will open on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 11 am. The gas station and gaming facility is located in Winston County along S. Church Ave. at Railroad Ave in Louisville.
As we unveil our travel plaza, I am filled with gratitude,” said Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben. “This endeavor isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about weaving connections. Crystal Sky will not only serve travelers passing through but will also uplift the Louisville and Winston County area and honor the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”
The $25 million, 18,000-square-foot facility will operate 24 hours a day and offer guests 150 slot machines and a sportsbook lounge. A restaurant and 3,000 square feet of retail space, along with fueling stations for both commercial and passenger vehicles, complement the gaming area.
Tribal Gaming Expansion
The Mississippi Choctaws own and operate three tribal casinos in the state offering Las Vegas-style games.
The tribe’s Pear River Resort in Philadelphia is home to the Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos. The Choctaws additionally run the Bok Homa Casino in Heidelberg. Combined, the casinos offer over 3,000 slot machines and 70 live dealer table games, plus sports betting.
The Choctaw economic portfolio also includes the Dancing Rabbit Inn and Dancing Rabbit Golf Club.
The tribe’s travel plaza extends its reach north some 20 miles from where the bulk of its sovereign land and properties are located. Crystal Sky is being built on off-reservation trust land, which allows the Choctaw Indians to lend its Class III gaming compact with the State of Mississippi to operate slot machines and sports betting at the site.
Travel plazas are becoming more common among gaming tribes. In February, Florida’s Miccosukee Tribe opened a similarly sized travel plaza with 150 gaming machines. Called the Little Trail Casino, the travel stop is located in the Everglades off Interstate 75, aka Alligator Alley.
The Miccosukees, however, unlike the Mississippi Choctaws, do not possess a Class III gaming compact with Florida. As a result, their gaming machines are bingo-based electronic terminals.
A traditional slot uses a random number generator for each spin to determine if the play wins or loses. An electronic bingo machine pools machines together to determine if a play wins. Want to learn more? This website breaks down the differences.
What’s in a Name?
Louisville where Crystal Sky will operate is named for Louis Winston (1784-1824), who was a colonel in the militia and a member of the Mississippi Supreme Court. The town is home to about 6K people, with the closest major city being Jackson, MS, some 80 air miles southwest.
The Choctaw Indians polled its tribal members for an identity for its forthcoming travel stop in Louisville. Tribal officials said 258 entries were received, with “Crystal Sky” being deemed the winner by the Tribal Council and CRDE Board.
Crystal Sky pays homage to the nearby tribal community in Winston County known as Crystal Ridge.
This exciting development promises to be a beacon of hospitality, convenience, and cultural pride for travelers passing through the Louisville area,” a tribal statement on the travel plaza said.
Tribal member Dachelle E. of Louisville pitched the winning name. For giving the best suggestion, Dachelle was awarded a $500 cash prize.
