Catch a Dream at New Potawatomi Casino

One of the largest casinos in the country is now within easy reach of residents of the Chicago area with last month's grand opening of the multi-million dollar expansion at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee.

The project tripled the size of the casino to approximately 784,000 sq. ft, doubled the slot inventory to 3,100 machines, and made room for an additional 100 table games.

"This is the most ambitious construction project in our history," said Potawatomi spokesman Ryan Amundson. "It represents a $240 million investment in the Menomonee Valley, the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin."

Potawatomi first opened its doors as a bingo hall in 1991. Slot machines were added in 1992. The first major expansion, including the addition of table games, was completed in 2000.

The new development rips the cliché tag off "bigger and better" in every aspect of the operation. There's even easier access made possible by the connection of the James E. Groppi Unity Bridge to the new six-story, 1,800-space parking garage.

When you stroll across the walkway that connects the parking facility with the two-level casino, you'll know something special is in store when you are greeted by the "welcome wall", a 60-foot high, 140-foot long convex montage of dancing lights.

Once inside, the earth-tone décor creates a unique casino experience with imaginative applications of stone, bronze, and copper, as well as new attention grabbers on the casino floor utilizing Potawatomi's signature themes.

The focal point of the new gaming floor is Bar 360, a circular lounge seating 125 people, which rests beneath a trellis equipped with hundreds of fixed and robotic LED lights and image projectors.

Dining options have been expanded with the creation of Wild Earth, which will spotlight American cuisine, as well as Ru Yi, an Asian-themed restaurant designed to remind the 90 diners it will seat of the famous noodle restaurants of Asia. The menu features selections from Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai and Hmong cooking.

The new six-station buffet seats 400 diners, who will be treated daily to dishes prepared from traditional American, Asian, Mediterranean and Latin recipes. Casual diners will also be impressed with the large Menomonee Valley Food Court.

Dream Dance, Potawatomi Bingo Casino's four-star, four-diamond restaurant, has re-opened at its new location on the first floor of the new casino. It features a European-style kitchen that Chef Jason Gorman personally designed, and boasts a specially designed wine cellar with 900 selections, the largest in Wisconsin.

The casino is also home to the intimate 500-seat Northern Lights Theater, a cabaret-style venue which regularly showcases top entertainment; the 1,300-seat Nest of Life Bingo Hall, one of the 10 largest facilities of its kind in the country; a newly added off-track horse racing betting parlor set to open in August; and the exclusive Solstice Lounge for top tier Fire Keeper's Club players.

If you want to plan a visit, go to www.paysbig.com for complete information, partner hotel packages, and coach bus schedules to Potawatomi from the Chicago area.