Pokagon Township approves casino project

By: ABC57 Staff

Posted: Jun 14, 2012 8:27 PM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 2:20 AM EDT

DOWAGIAC, Mich. -- A new casino is coming to Dowagiac.

The Pokagon Township Board approved the proposal last night bring a casino to the town. The casino is expected to bring about 100 jobs to the area.

According to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the casino will be smaller with about 200 slot machines and four gaming tables. The casino will also feature a 25-seat restaurant.

"We will have less traffic than what you get when a football game lets out," Chairman Matt Wesaw said. "A local casino is not going to be congested."

The tribe also owns the Four Winds casino in New Buffalo and Hartford.

Construction is expected to begin in a few months. The casino is expected to open next year.