Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel is a casino in Niagara Falls, New York, United States. It was built by the Seneca Nation to compete with Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Formerly known as the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center, it was sold to the federally recognized Seneca Nation of New York.
| Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel | |
|---|---|
 | |
 View of front entrance | |
| Location | Niagara Falls, New York, United States |
| Address | 310 Fourth Street Niagara Falls, New York 14303 |
| Opening date | Casino: December 31, 2002 Hotel: December 30, 2005 |
| Theme | Bears/Woods/Water (Niagara areas natural state) |
| No. of rooms | 594 |
| Total gaming space | 147,000 sq ft (13,700 m2) |
| Signature attractions | Spa, Casino, Hotel, and Restaurants |
| Notable restaurants | Java Café Morrie's Express Thunder Falls Buffet Three Sisters Café Koi La Cascata The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse Blues |
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | The Seneca Nation Of Indians |
| Renovated in | Thunder Falls Buffet (2007, 2012) |
| Website | www |
The casino floor has an area of 147,000 sq ft (13,700 m2) with 99 gaming tables and 4,200 slot machines. It is the largest hotel in New York state outside of Manhattan.
History
editThe Seneca Niagara Casino opened on December 31, 2002, the result of an $80 million transformation of the Niagara Falls Convention and Civic Center into a full-service casino. It features 82,000 square feet of gaming space with 2,595 slot machines and 91 table games.[1] In May 2004, construction began on the casino's 26-story hotel tower. [2] The $240 million hotel tower opened in December 2005. Upon its opening, the New York Times described the tower as "the skyline on the American side of the Niagara River."[3]
In late 2012, the casino opened a brand new buffet space called Thunder Falls Buffet. [4] This space was later closed and reopened in 2022 as the Full Plate Eatery .[5]
In 2013, the casino received $26 million worth of renovations and upgrades to the main casino gaming floor and the outside square. An additional $6 million was spent on improvements to the casino's HVAC system. [6]
The Seneca Nation of Indians and Seneca Gaming Corporation announced a $40 million renovation and beautification plan for the casino in 2018. The plan included a new lobby and lobby bar. Additional registration and VIP check-in areas as well as a new entryway off were also announced. [7]
The casino closed on March 16, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic[8] and resumed 24 hour operations in July 2020 as part of its reopening plan during the COVID-19 pandemic. [9]
Restaurants
edit- Western Door (Steakhouse)
- Koi (Asian Cuisine)
- La Cascata (Italian Cuisine)
- Full Plate Eatery (Buffet)
- Blues Burger Bar
- Three Sisters Café
- Bear Claw Cafe
- Slice-N-Dice (Pizza)
- Lounge 101[10]
Shopping
edit- 8 Clans (Native American merchandise)
- The Garden Nook
- Lux Box
- Odds & Ends
Entertainment
editThe Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel is home to the Seneca Niagara Events Center, a 2,400-seat theater that has hosted various performing artists, including Stevie Nicks, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Lewis Black, Lisa Lampanelli, Steely Dan, Heart, Steve Miller Band, Huey Lewis and the News, Gretchen Wilson, Air Supply, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Blondie, Jeff Foxworthy, Jay Leno, The Moody Blues, Grand Funk Railroad, Cheap Trick, Jim Gaffigan, New Kids on the Block, Seth Meyers, The Pointer Sisters, Chicago, The Go-Go's, Bobby Vinton, Tracy Morgan, Jackson Browne, Frank Caliendo, Michael Bolton, Alanis Morissette and more.[citation needed]
In addition, the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel has the Bear's Den Showroom, a 440-seat theatre that presents more intimate shows, such as The Goo Goo Dolls, Eddie Money, The Grass Roots, Lou Gramm, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Little River Band, Mary Wilson, Richard Marx, and more.
After a year of being closed during pandemic, Seneca Resort in Niagara Falls start hosting online events like broadcasting concerts, sports events and interactive tournaments.[11]
Expansion
editThis article needs to be updated. (December 2012) |
In February 2008, the Seneca Gaming Corp. announced the expansion of the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel Property. It added more hotel rooms, and other amenities.[citation needed] It acquired Fallsville Splash Park, located next to the Seneca Niagara Casino, which was condemned by the State of New York and transferred to the Seneca Gaming Corporation. It was demolished for Phase 2 of expansion of the Niagara Falls casino.
Legal issues
editAdjacent properties owned by Seneca Gaming Corp.
editAdjacent properties owned by the Seneca Gaming Corporation are not located on Seneca territory owned by the Nation, therefore it is technically illegal to put slot machines or provide for gambling. The Splash Park Property where Phase 2 of expansion is to take place is also located on non-sovereign land.
The former Convention Center is located on sovereign land, and the casino is operated by Gaming Corporation.
Accolades
editIn 2023, the resort was ranked sixth on a list of the Ten Best Casinos Outside Las Vegas by USA Today in their 10 Best Readers Choice Awards. [12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel". www.niagarafallslive.com. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
- ^ Galarneau, Andrew (14 May 2004). "Senecas Break Ground On Falls Hotel". Buffalo News. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Staba, David (31 December 2005). "Senecas Add Hotel to Niagara Falls Casino". New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Chipp, Timothy (12 December 2012). "Seneca Niagara Casino unveils new-look Thunder Falls Buffet". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino unveils Full Plate Eatery". Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel. 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Senecas spending $26 million on upgrades at Niagara Falls casino". WBFO. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ Mroziak, Michael (27 April 2018). "$40 million renovation and beautification project announced at Seneca Niagara Casino". WBFO. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Seneca Nation releases detailed casino reopening plan". Niagara Gazette. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Seneca casino to resume 24-hour operations this week". Niagara Gazette. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Seneca Niagara Restaurants". Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Seneca Niagara Entertainment". Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Nucci, Alyssa (8 September 2023). "Seneca Niagara named one of 10 Best Casinos Outside of Las Vegas". WIVB. Retrieved 19 January 2024.