As a fall-back plan, the OIN had the casino designed so that it could be adapted as a small shopping mall, if necessary. Development of the casino was opposed from within and outside the OIN. It was developed at a time when Native American sovereignty and the right to establish gaming casinos on reservations had survived court challenges. The casino, and associated hotel for visitors and conventions, was conceived as a revenue-generating enterprise to aid in economic and social development of the OIN. Adjacent to exit 33 of the New York State Thruway, the resort is a popular tourist destination in central New York State and has received numerous awards in the industry. Until the Seneca Niagara Casino opened in 2002, it was the only land-based casino in New York. The facility opened on July 20, 1993, and offers golf amenities (on- and off-site golf courses, one of PGA Tour quality, and an indoor golf dome), an RV park, trails for walking, an amusement arcade, many restaurants, spas, Bingo, Keno, table games, and many types of reel and video slot machines. Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Native American resort casino owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York (OIN) in Verona, New York. 125,000 square foot Las Vegas-style gaming floor
