Downstream Casino near Joplin, Mo., adding RV park

Downstream Casino Resort is building a 24-hour gas station, convenience and liquor store, and RV park on the Missouri side of its property. The complex is expected to open in March.

The casino is just south of Joplin at Exit 1 on I-44, and 45 minutes north of the Arkansas state line. It features one million square feet of slot machines, guest rooms and restaurants.

The C-store complex will occupy about 10 acres across from Downstream's main entrance. Plans call for 40 RV/camper parking spaces with utility hook-ups and a shower and laundry building; at least 22 parking spaces for semi tractor-trailer trucks; four diesel fuel pumps and six gasoline pumps; and an 8,000-square-foot convenience and liquor store with an outdoor dining area and drive-through window. The gas station will likely be branded under one of the popular national brand names, said Downstream General Manager Steven Drewes.

"We are finalizing many of the details this week while the land is being cleared and prepared, and construction should begin next month," Drewes said. "We should be ready to open in March."

Wisconsin casino adds luxury RV park

Wisconsin's Ho-chunk Casino has just opened a new luxury RV park on its property. On the north side of the gambling establishment, the park offers 49 RV spots, including 21 set up for all season use. The sites all have wireless Internet service, a fire pit and picnic table, plus water and sewer hookups.

The outfit's executive manager, Jones Funmaker (I swear, this is the man's name) says the casino had always welcomed RVs, but saw a new revenue stream in the making. Instead of just allowing RVers to park on the lot somewhere, the group envisioned a cash-flowing RV park. Funmaker told a local newspaper, "It seemed to make business sense, ‘hey, can we charge them to park?'"

The casino has other revenue stream enrichments coming in the future, including the installation of a water park and a convention center.

You'll find Ho-chunk at the intersection of US Highway 12 and North Reedsburg Road near Baraboo.

graphic: googlemaps.com

Turning Stone casino in New York offers cold reception to RVer

We received this email from RVtravel.com reader Ray Houghtaling on May 17, 2011:

I wanted to inform our fellow RVers that the popular casino Turning Stone in upstate New York just off I-87 at exit 33 no longer allows RV parking at the casino even for a short time. We had stayed the night in their truck lot at $20 for 48 hours and in the morning went to their diesel terminal for fuel then drove to park at the casino for breakfast and play awhile until check in at their RV park at 1 p.m.

We parked well away from the casino where we have parked before, even when staying overnight at times. We barely got parked when security showed up and informed us we could not stay even for a few hours. We could only stay at the RV park (at $45 per night) or the truck lot (at $20 for 48 hours), both of which are about a mile away.

This is a new policy for the casino. We have always been welcomed with our motorhome in casinos across the country. Turning Stone does not seem to care for the RV business so I plan to oblige them from now on.

Board turns thumbs down on casino near Gettysburg National Military Park

Lincoln's immortal speech at Gettysburg

You won't soon hear the ringing of payoff bells on one-armed bandits near Gettysburg National Military Park, as Pennsylvania gaming officials have refused to issue the necessary permits for its location next to the park.

Instead the Gaming Control Board gave the one permit it had to issue to a resort in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania.

"We would like to commend the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their decision to deny the application for a license to open a casino within one-half mile from Gettysburg National Military Park. The denial of this application represents the board’s commitment to protecting one of our nation’s most sacred places," said Cinda Waldbuesser, the Pennsylvania senior program manager for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Oak Ridge, Gettsyburg National Military Park

“The board’s decision shows that the public outcry by concerned Pennsylvania citizens was heard loud and clear. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, thankfully, the board considered the damaging effects that the proposed casino would have on the historic charm of this national icon and the community," she added. "After months of debate, the Board also agrees that a casino is at odds with the family friendly atmosphere of Gettysburg and with the sacred land on which so many gave their lives for our country."

Also applauding the decision was the Civil War Trust, which also said the hallowed ground of Gettysburg was not the proper place for a casino. The proposed casino, in addition to proposed for an area within one-half-mile of the military park's border, would have been about 2 miles from its main entrance.

Nearly 300 historians, including some Pulitzer Prize winners, opposed the casino. Among those who urged the Gaming Board to deny the request were Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough.