Gun Lake Casino names new vice president of hospitality

WAYLAND, MI — Gun Lake Casino has named Lam Vongsakoun as its new vice president of hospitality.

Vongsakoun , who has worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, will oversee the casino’s food and beverage operation and a 15-story, 252-room hotel that’s expected to open in March 2025.

“Lam Vongsakoun is a leader in the casino hospitality industry that we are fortunate to have on our team, and I am thrilled that he has already hit the ground running,” said Jose Flores, Vice President and General Manager for Gun Lake Casino.

“His experience and skillset make him uniquely qualified to lead our food and beverage operations immediately while playing a key role in planning and implementation of our expansion into the Midwest’s best hotel casino resort.”

In a news release, the tribe said Vongsakoun has run food and beverage operations at large gaming entertainment resorts in several states.

Most recently, he served as senior director of hospitality operations at Oak Grove Racing Gaming Hotel in Oak Grove, Kentucky, as well as vice president of food and beverage at Wind Creek Resort & Casino in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He also served as director of Food & Beverage at Ameristar Black Hawk Resort & Casino in Black Hawk, Colorado.

Gun Lake Casino broke ground in May on a $300 million project that will add a 15-floor hotel and a large-scale “Aquadome” with three pools and the ability to transform into a concert venue and banquet center. Officials say the expansion are aimed at expanding the casino’s demographic appeal by adding more non-gaming entertainment amenities.

The casino is in Wayland Township, just east of U.S. 131, about hallway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. It opened in 2011, and is owned by the Gun Lake Tribe.