KINDER — Fans looking to place a bet on their favorite sports team will now be able to do so at the Coushatta Casino Resort.

Members of the Coushatta Tribe Council and casino management launched sports betting Wednesday with the grand opening of The Rez Sportsbook at Coushatta.

“To be able to introduce this during my chairmanship is such a wonderful honor,” Coushatta Chairman Jonathon Cernek said.  “It is an honor to present our culture here at The Rez Sportsbook. It’s an honor to represent our members…. This is just the beginning.”

Referring to it as a sports lover’s dream, Cernek said it was a new era moving forward for tribal members and the casino in offering first-class gaming and entertainment services.

“This is an amazing event and a wonderful opportunity because it shows how expansive the market is getting,” Cernek said. “It shows that casinos can now offer sports betting. We can get a whole new client, a whole new fan at Coushatta to enjoy our wonderful amenities.”

In keeping with the tribe’s tradition, tribal member and flute player Leland Thompson kicked off the ceremony with a blessing song and Cernek used a tomahawk instead of the usual scissors to cut the ribbon.

“Today is an exciting day for me, not only do we offer the best and most available slots, but now we are about to offer the best race and sports book in southern Louisiana,” General Manager Todd Stewart said.

The Rez is located at the south entrance to the casino, in the former Gumbeaux’s Sports Bar adjacent to the off-track betting center. It features staffed cage windows, 18 self-service kiosks located inside the venue and on the gaming floor and over 40 giant TVs for guests to watch the sporting events. Cocktails, craft beets and bar fare are also available.

Casino officials said players will be able to place wagers from 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily on a variety of betting markets, including all major professional and collegiate sports, both in person at the sports book and at kiosks located on the gaming floor.

Sports betting is something the casino has been working on since voters in 55 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes approved sports betting last November, according to Director of Marketing Bobby Thornton.

“It has been a long time coming just from getting the initial legislation in place to selecting a provider and getting approval from the National Indiana Gaming Commission, it has taken the better part of a year,” Thornton said. “But it has been worth it to bring another wonderful amenity to the property. I don’t see how this will not be a home run for us.”

Cernek made the first official bet followed by bets made by former New Orleans Saint Rickey Jackson, former Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson and former Houston Texan Owen Daniels, who placed the bets on behalf of their favorite charities. The former NFL players also took time to sign autographs for fans.

The Golden Nugget Casino and L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles opened sports betting on their properties last month.