A new travel plaza featuring slot machines and sports betting will open in Louisville, Mississippi, on December 19, 2024. The Crystal Sky Travel Plaza, developed by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians through their Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise (CRDE), represents a $25 million investment in Winston County.

The 18,000-square-foot facility will operate 24/7, offering:

• 150 slot machines
• Sports betting lounge
• Restaurant
• 3,000 square feet of retail space
• Fuel stations for commercial and passenger vehicles

Located along S. Church Ave. at Railroad Ave, the facility is built on off-reservation trust land, operating under the tribe's Class III gaming compact with Mississippi. This expansion adds to the Choctaw Indians' existing gaming portfolio, which includes three casinos: Pearl River Resort (Silver Star and Golden Moon casinos) and Bok Homa Casino.

Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben emphasized the plaza's significance beyond gaming, highlighting its role in supporting the Louisville and Winston County community while honoring tribal heritage. The name "Crystal Sky" was chosen through a tribal member contest, paying tribute to the nearby Crystal Ridge community.

This development follows a growing trend of tribal gaming expansion into travel plazas, similar to the Miccosukee Tribe's Little Trail Casino in Florida's Everglades. The facility aims to serve both travelers and local residents while expanding the tribe's economic presence in northern Mississippi.

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