By Ken Koerner
Register Staff

Though absent the neon lights and glittering facades characteristic of the Las Vegas strip, Inyo County’s newest casino has already drawn some early patrons – and paid out some impressive jackpots.

The Fort Independence Tribe’s Winnedumah Winn’s Casino is open for business and is welcoming local residents and visitors alike to try their luck in its “temporary gaming room.”
“We began operating in this temporary facility because the gaming process moved along ahead of the intended location being ready,” Fort Independence Tribal Gaming Commission Chairman Donald Bracken said. “In about a month we anticipate being ready to welcome patrons to our new facility now in the final stages of being readied.”
Situated on the Fort Independence Reservation alongside U.S. 395, three miles north of Independence, the Winnedumah Winn’s’ hours of operation in its temporary site are from noon - 9 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. For now, players can choose from 54 available slot machines. That will all change as soon as it moves across the highway to take its place as part of a fuel stop, convenience store and casino complex.
“Our current gaming room space will double as soon as we’re up and running in the new building,”  Bracken said, “and that coupled with people stopping for fuel and food could provide us with a dramatic increase in customer flow on the gaming side.”
Bracken explained that the new facility on the west side of U.S. 395 will offer separate islands for big rigs and for non-commercial vehicles. The convenience store operation will occupy the largest portion of the new building, with the casino situated at the northern end of the building complex. However, even this new and larger development is in reality a “temporary” phase in the Tribe’s ultimate plans.
“The Fort Independence Tribe has a long history of looking for economic development options for our members,” said Bracken, “and what we’re doing right now is simply another step along that path. We believe the opportunity exists for us to create what will become a ‘destination resort,’ with a golf course, hotel and varied dining options. We have the land available and we have the vision.”
Bracken did not suggest a timeframe was currently in mind for these economic developments; but it is clear that the tribe is looking to these future goals.

Though the Fort Independence Tribe has begun gaming operations on a small scale and in a temporary facility, patrons (above) have already found their way to the slot machines. The Tribe anticipates moving into a new gaming room, part of a fuel center and convenience store complex, in the coming month. Photo by Ken Koerner

In the meantime, Bracken explained, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for the current option for slot players at Ft. Independence. “Most of our customers are coming from Independence and Lone Pine, but we’re also seeing customers from Bishop, I believe in part because we have different-themed machines for them to try out,” Bracken said. “And in the last couple of weeks since we opened, a number of customers have walked out very happy – we’ve had quite a few jackpots in the $500-600 range, plus one player hit for $2,400 and another won $2,500.”
Reportedly, not every member of the Ft. Independence Tribe is a staunch supporter of the development plan. “Some members never wanted gaming and some of us did,” is a comment that was shared by more than one tribal member. When asked about the overall tribal support for the plans in place, Bracken had a differing viewpoint. “Tribal government is a direct-democracy,” Bracken said, “and I can tell you that we have the full support from all of our voting members for all of our economic development efforts.”
Bracken explained that the Ft. Independence Tribe has “about 75 voting members.” Bracken also explained that there will also be employment options that come along with these projects. “The employment opportunities for tribal members will immediately put about 20 people to work,” Bracken said, “and we forecast increasing positions will be opening up as we continue to make strides with our development plans. This will be a very good thing for everyone.”
Bracken explained that there were no grants or loans employed by the Tribe in accomplishing these initial development goals. “It’s being done entirely with tribal resources,” said Bracken.
These latest plans follow in the wake of earlier development options that have been pursued by the Ft. Independence Tribe. The Tribe has operated an RV campground for at least the past 35 years, explained Bracken. “In fact, the temporary gaming building was probably our first commercial enterprise,” Bracken added. “There used to be a small souvenir store called the ‘Deer Farm’ at this site, which also had baby deer in an enclosed area behind it for traveling families to share with their children. It was simple but nice.”
Deer grazing on a golf course are the more likely signs of wildlife in the future, if the Ft. Independence Tribe is able to achieve all of its resort goals.