Turning Stone Resort Casino in upstate New York is generating enormous excitement with its latest announcement. The top destination resort this week unveiled an enhanced lineup of gaming operations and an industry-leading new rewards program.

Regional press packed the resort’s successful launch event on Monday, where brand new, state-of-the-art slot machines debuted floor wide at the casino with celebrity impersonators of the games’ characters on site. Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter introduced the new updates, and one lucky attendee even got to step into the Turning Stone money machine to grab as much cash as she could.

The comprehensive updates and exciting launch event have been highlighted in numerous area publications, including WKTV, WIBX950 and The Oneida Dispatch, whose article is included below.

Turning Stone unveils new slot machines

A Willy Wonka character actor speaks to two guests playing the new Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory national progressive jackpot machine at Turning Stone Resort and Casino on Monday. Kristin Clark – Rome Observer

By Kristin Clark, Oneida Dispatch/Rome Observer

POSTED: 03/10/14, 7:01 PM EDT |

VERONA >> Turning Stone Casino and Resort unveiled new cash slot machines on Monday morning.

The new machines are part of a $15 million investment. Four of the 17 types of machines at the casino will be linked to national progressive jackpots.

The four are Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Michael Jackson King of Pop, The Wizard of Oz and Wheel of Fortune.

Oneida Nation officials said there are now just over 2,000 slot machines at the 20-year-old casino.

Tracy Zolna, a guest at Turning Stone was enjoying the new cash machines.

“I’m just a minimum bettor, but they’re fun,” Zolna said. “You don’t have to get up to get more money.”

She was playing the new Willy Wonka machine and when she hit a bonus spin, her chair shook and the whole machine lit up.

The machines will now print a receipt for cashing out, instead of money staying on a card. One concern was that people would forget to print their receipts or forget to take it when leaving a machine. The casino has addressed this concern in a couple of ways.

“We have put a lot of extra employees on the floor to prevent that and every machine has a warning message displayed so players don’t forget,” said Dan Jones, director of casino promotions guest relationship management.

The casino is also introducing a new loyalty program called TS Rewards.

The program will replace the Diamond Card system used since Turning Stone opened 20 years ago. TS Rewards will give guests the opportunity to earn points on purchases at all Oneida Nation Enterprise businesses, including not only gaming but also restaurants, hotels, entertainment and nightlife venues, golf courses, spas and SavOn Stores.

One dollar spent will equal one point in the rewards system. TS Rewards points can be redeemed at all Oneida Nation Enterprise businesses, and existing Diamond Card accounts and Karats on those cards will automatically be converted to TS Rewards points. Those currently holding a Diamond Card will have at least six months to transfer over to a TS Rewards card.

“It will work the same way, or even better than the Diamond Cards,” said Brett Stagnitti, public affairs manager.

Turning Stone opened a new entertainment destination in September. The additions include The Gig, The Turquoise Tiger, The Tin Rooster and The Atrium Bar. The additions are in the same area of the casino as the Lava Night Club.