A new travel plaza set to open next month in Mississippi will not only cater to the basic needs of travelers but also offer the thrill of gaming with slot machines and sports betting. The Crystal Sky Travel Plaza, a project by Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE), a subsidiary of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, is slated to open on Thursday, December 19, at 11 am in Winston County, located along S. Church Ave. at Railroad Ave in Louisville.
Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, emphasizing that it’s more than just physical infrastructure. “As we unveil our travel plaza, I am filled with gratitude,” Chief Ben stated. “This endeavor isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about weaving connections. Crystal Sky will not only serve travelers passing through but will also uplift the Louisville and Winston County area and honor the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.”
The $25 million complex spans 18,000 square feet and is equipped to operate around the clock. Crystal Sky will feature 150 slot machines, a sportsbook lounge, a restaurant, and 3,000 square feet dedicated to retail space. Additionally, it will provide fueling stations for both commercial and passenger vehicles.
The Mississippi Choctaws, known for their gaming enterprises, already manage three other casinos offering Las Vegas-style games in the state. Their roster includes the Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos at Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia and the Bok Homa Casino in Heidelberg, bringing the tribe’s total to over 3,000 slot machines and 70 live dealer table games, in addition to sports betting facilities. Their economic ventures also include the Dancing Rabbit Inn and Dancing Rabbit Golf Club.
This new travel plaza marks a notable expansion of the tribe’s footprint, with Crystal Sky being constructed 20 miles north of their main sovereign territory on off-reservation trust land. This status allows the tribe to leverage its Class III gaming compact with the State of Mississippi, operationalizing the slot machines and sports betting offerings at the travel plaza.
Travel plazas featuring gaming facilities are becoming a more common trend among gaming tribes. Earlier this year, the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida opened a comparable travel plaza in the Everglades with 150 gaming machines. Unlike the Mississippi Choctaws, who have a Class III gaming compact with their state, the Miccosukee Tribe operates bingo-based electronic terminals due to the absence of such a compact.
Crystal Sky’s location in Louisville offers a tribute to Colonel Louis Winston, after whom the town is named. Louisville, with a population of around 6,000, lies approximately 80 air miles northeast of Jackson, MS.
To name the new travel stop, the Choctaw Indians engaged their tribal members in a poll, garnering 258 submissions. “Crystal Sky” emerged as the winning entry, chosen by both the Tribal Council and the CRDE Board. The name honors the nearby tribal area known as Crystal Ridge.
“This exciting development promises to be a beacon of hospitality, convenience, and cultural pride for travelers passing through the Louisville area,” the tribe declared in a statement. The winning name was proposed by tribal member Dachelle E. of Louisville, who received a $500 cash prize for her contribution.
