By Joe Morey
News Editor
The Sevenwinds Casino reported a substantial profit for the month of December presenting a check for $1.1 million to the Tribe for the monthly distribution, which is normally around $200,000. In addition to the casino revenue, other tribal enterprises showed higher-than-usual profits. Those business revenues along with the collection of the nearly $2 million Enbridge payment, the Tribe reports a huge month in revenue for December.
At their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, The LCO Tribal Governing Board (TGB) approved giving the majority of that revenue to the LCO Tribal Membership. LCO TGB member Tweed Shuman, seconded by Don Carley, motioned to give every adult tribal member $100 in gift certificates, to be known as LCO Bucks, was unanimously approved by the TGB. The gift certificates are to be used at any tribal enterprise and comes from the Tribe's General Fund above and beyond the Tribal Budget.
Carley said the casino had an outstanding month, stating that the casino usually relies on a winter reserve fund for slow months in the winter. He acknowledged the great job casino management and employees are doing.
Shuman added, “The casino has run a lean mean machine over there and as a result, we’d like to share that revenue with our membership.”
The $100 LCO Bucks will be good for purchases/expenditures at the LCO Country Store, LCO Quick Stop and LCO C-Store, the Landing, Big Fish Golf, Sevenwinds Casino and LCO Development.
The TGB decided that cards would have to be picked up at the Tribal Office between February 1 and February 28 and the four $25 gift certificates must be used by that date as well. Persons may only pick up the card in their name and cannot pick up for anyone else.
LCO Bucks is only available for adult tribal members who must show their Tribal ID to the Accounting Office and sign for their LCO Bucks in the Peter Larson Room. There will be no cash/change given at the enterprises if purchase is under the $25 face value of each certificate.
The Tribal Office will have extended hours through the month of February for pick up on Wednesdays till 7:00 pm and on Saturdays from Noon to 4:00 pm.
Carley said Sevenwinds has done really well this year and as a result they also gave casino employees incentives. In addition, TGB approved reinvesting funds to purchase their slot machines rather than lease them, which has resulted in much higher revenues.
Carley also said the casino is now looking at planning events again, starting small of course. They are currently planning something for Valentine’s Day.
He added that the TGB gave approval for Grindstone Creek to remodel, adding the old B&D Café as the new snack bar for the casino. They will be opening again soon.
