Wondering why an expansive new aquarium in the shape of a lighthouse has suddenly appeared in the bar area of the gaming floor at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel? The answer is proximity and money. The proximity is Wind Creek’s location only an hour from the Gulf of Mexico, while the monetary aspect is the hundreds of thousands of dollars the casino will give away during a new gulf-themed promotion that began Monday.

Officials with Wind Creek announced the event, aimed at celebrating lower Alabama’s rich cultural and maritime history, this week, dubbing it “Wonders of the Gulf Coast.” It is the biggest promotion ever for the Atmore-based casino and a marking milestone in Wind Creek’s history, according to officials with the tribe.

Beginning Monday, and continuing through Sept. 23, the casino will give away $100,000 every eight days (22 awards total) on a live webcast, culminating with a $1 million giveaway on Sept. 28. The first $100,000 giveaway will occur on Monday, April 8. Gaming enthusiasts will have a chance to win for every $100 played at Wind Creek Casino.

“Wonders of the Gulf is our biggest promotion by far,” said Arthur Mothershed, Wind Creek Casino and Hotel property manager. “We pushed ourselves to think big, outside the usual promotional box, to generate excitement in and about our region. So we thought that a $100,000 cash giveaway every eight days for six months was pretty big. The coastal theme quite naturally shaped the rest of the promotion.”

Additionally, Wind Creek has partnered with Animal Planet’s hit TV series, “Tanked” to build an aquarium on the hotel and casino’s main floor. The tank is designed to replicate historic Middle Bay Lighthouse (located in Mobile Bay) in celebration of Mobile Bay and the Gulf Coast.

“One of the most interesting aspects of this promotion is the opportunity to work with the team from ‘Tanked.’  It isn’t every day that you have a production crew show up at your door and begin building a massive aquarium with an authentic replica of our local lighthouse,” Mothershed said. “I enjoyed watching what all goes into their work, and I’m looking forward to seeing our project on their television program.”

The aquarium will feature a rich selection of aquatic sea life indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico.

Wind Creek is using Wonders of the Gulf as an opportunity to partner with and support key conservation groups and nonprofits along the Gulf Coast that are actively working to help preserve the area’s natural resources and increase the quality of life for local residents.

“As much as this promotion benefits our guests, I feel even better about our giving back to the local community,” Mothershed said. “Our partners inspire us with the charitable work they do along the Gulf Coast, and we are proud for the opportunity to both highlight and support them.”

The hand picked partners will initially receive a direct contribution of $5,000 from Wind Creek, with the opportunity to have up to $10,000 total donated. Additionally, partners will be spotlighted on one of the webcasts, cross-promotional opportunities on Wind Creek’s website and social media channels, and an appearance on a Wonders of the Gulf webcast.

For more information about Wonders of the Gulf Coast, please visit wondersatwindcreek.com.