Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians has gained regulatory approval to expand its casino holdings with the acquisition of the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Penn.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by the PCI Gaming Authority, doing business as Wind Creek Hospitality, the deal has “a total enterprise value” of $1.3 billion. Wind Creek Hospitality (WCH) received approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board after about 14 months of review.
The move represents a significant increase in the tribe’s casino holdings. Those previously included Wind Creek casinos in Atmore, Wetumpka and Montgomery plus other casino properties on the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curacao.
“We are pleased with the decision of PGCB and anticipate moving quickly to close the transaction,” said Wind Creek President/CEO Jay Dorris. “I look forward to welcoming all the Sands Bethlehem employees to the Wind Creek family.”
The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem will be renamed Wind Creek Bethlehem. Its features include a 282-room hotel, a 183,000-square-foot casino floor with 3,000 slot machines and electronic table games and an event center. Its location in the Lehigh Valley puts it about 80 miles from New York City.
WCH said it plans “an immediate effort” to expand the property with a new 300-room hotel. It also plans to develop a nearby industrial site “with ideas such as an adventure and water park that will include a 400 or so room hotel.”
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