(WSBT) Workers are busy putting the finishing touches on the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo. It will open to the public Thursday at noon.

WSBT News got a sneak peak inside Wednesday morning.

It's billed as the second largest gaming floor in the country. The casino includes 3,000 slot machines and 100 table games.

But for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the site is more than a casino.

“The property features several elements that embody our history and traditions,” explained Tribal Chairman John Miller. “You'll notice the use of stone, copper, cedar and birch — materials that are used in many of our tribal ceremonies.”

There are also a lot of fireplaces in the casino, as the Potawatomi name means “Keeper of the Fire.”

The casino brought more than 2,000 new jobs to the area, and an anticipated 15,000 people are expected to come to the casino every day.

Local retailers and visitors bureaus say more bodies in New Buffalo means big business for them.

Others living in the area say traffic is a concern.

New Buffalo's mayor Bob Westergren says he knows there will be more traffic through the area, and probably more accidents, too.

He hopes people will come to the area for more than just gambling.

“They're going to come there and stay for three, four or five days,” Westergen told WSBT News. “The family will want to come downtown to do a little shopping, go to the restaurants. We think there's some good things there.”

The South Bend-Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to see people coming through Michiana on the way to and from Four Winds Casino. They expect many people to fly in and out of South Bend's airport.