Back in August the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, which is owned by the Seneca Nation of New York, through the Seneca Gaming Corporation, announced the approval of a $40 million expansion of its facility to being in October. However, after spending the bulk of the last four months reviewing the project the expansion is expected to begin later this month.

The expansion marks a significant change in development from the current, temporary casino which first opened its doors in July 2007. A 28,500-square-foot addition that the plans call for will increase the existing casino by more than 42 percent to 95,500-square-feet. The expansion will create at least 300 new jobs, adding to the approximate existing staff of 500. In addition, a 45 percent increase in the number of slot machines, from approximately 800 to nearly 1,200, is expected, according to Buffalo Business First.

Set for the west side of the facility and extending towards South Park Avenue, the two-story addition will add 10 more table games to the existing 22, a high limit room, and designated non-smoking areas. A small performance stage will also be added at the Stixx Sports Bar for live entertainment. The expansion also brings downtown Buffalo a Western Door Steakhouse, which is one of the most popular restaurants in its three local casino resort operations.

The decision to expand was officially approved last summer by the Seneca Nation Council and represents Seneca Gaming’s latest series of investments made in its three local casino resort operations. More than 3 million customers visit the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino annually. All totaled, more than 10 million patrons visit the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino and Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino each year. So, while the move to its current location cost $130 million dollars at the time, it has proven to be the right decision.

No word has been given as to the project’s completion date, however, the original date given was sometime in 2017.