Happy Birthday To Us!

This month, we are 30 years old

Things were so different in 1993. The world wide web was in its infancy, and virtually no one understood the revolutionary changes it would bring to business, to people, and to the world. A loaf of bread cost 75 cents, and a gallon of gasoline was $1.17. There was no social media, and the first, rudimentary cellphone debuted that year. Princess Diana, Michael Jackson and the grunge band Nirvana were regularly in the news, and people were flocking to theaters to enjoy the Robin Williams’ movie Mrs. Doubtfire

It’s stunning to think that it has been 30 years since we opened as a modest Bingo Hall that was designed to provide our struggling Coeur d’Alene Tribe and its members with jobs and a source of revenue.

Now we’re among the largest employers in North Idaho, employing roughly 800, and our people have benefited from more jobs, more income, better opportunities, better everything. We’re currently buying back land on our reservation to maintain our land base and provide for our next generations to come. We are a proud, smart sovereign nation that has painstakingly risen from extremely difficult circumstances and is now proactively laying the groundwork for success for current and future generations.

And it’s not just us who have benefited. We’ve donated over $34 million to educational programs and organizations in the region and state. We employ many nontribal members. We work toward the restoration and conservation of our Lake Coeur d’Alene and other area natural resources. We promote and support health care, youth, the arts, and many more things throughout Idaho and Eastern Washington — Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, Coats for Kids and more.

We could not have done any of this without you. We are grateful that you have embraced us since our beginning as a singular bingo entity to now — a premier casino resort destination with amenities that include the world-class Circling Raven Golf Club, two hotel wings, eight dining areas and lounges, merchandise shops, live entertainment and events, an exquisite, enormous 15,000-square-foot spa, and more.

To thank you and celebrate our anniversary together, we have planned many special events, giveaways and activities to ensure that you know how much we appreciate you. Please come visit us soon — and often — and we’ll count our blessings together! Welcome home.

Sincerely,

Laura Penney CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel