The casino, and associated hotel for visitors and conventions, was conceived as a revenue-generating enterprise to aid in economic and social development of the OIN.

It was developed at a time when Native American sovereignty and the right to establish gaming casinos on reservations had survived court challenges.

This new design allowed the Oneida Indian Nation to offer more services, including a pool, a spa, and a gym.

In 1997, the OIN paid for construction of a water tower near the casino and donated it to the Town of Verona, as one of their community contributions.

[6] The popularity of the casino provided sufficient revenue for the OIN to build second and third hotels at the site to satisfy demand.

[8] The Turning Stone Casino and Resort hosted NESN and YES Network's Boston vs. New York Poker Challenge for two seasons.

The casino hosts several shows throughout the year, featuring musicians (KISS, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Fergie, Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Jordin Sparks, Alicia Keys & Wayne Newton), comedians and other entertainment groups (Purrrfect Angels).

The OIN wanted to take advantage of expanding the original bingo hall into a full casino, which would include Class III gaming.

After many failed attempts to negotiate a settlement by an April 2007 deadline, the Department of the Interior launched its own investigation into the compact's validity.

[16] The US Interior Department's position was that the June 13, 2007, correspondence was not the end of it reconsidering the validity of the tribal-state compact, but merely a suspension of its reconsideration.

The fact that the amended complaint was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds deprived the court of the opportunity to address, directly, the compact's validity at the federal level.

[22] The DOI stated "compact does not specifically refer to the site where ... the Nation has built a major new facility in anticipation of being able to conduct gaming in the future.

"The Liquor Authority said the applications were disapproved without prejudice, and the Nation can reapply for the licenses after the reservation issue is solved.

In response, the casino reached an agreement with the Beeches Hotel And Catering Service which received multiple one-day permits to sell alcohol at the premises.

[26] This generated much controversy because the Beech's owner's wife, Roan Destito sits on the committee governing liquor laws.

[29] In May 2010, the casino leased portions of the property to a subsidiary of the Beech's which in turn was awarded a full license to sell liquor and other alcohol.

[30][31] This allowed the casino to offer alcohol to its patrons at all the restaurants and the gaming floor, in addition to the private nightclub.

[33] In 2018, Forbes Travel Guide awarded the resort with three Four Star ratings for The Lodge hotel, Wildflowers restaurant, and Skana spa.

[37] The Nation's Atunyote Golf Course hosts both the Turning Stone Resort Championship and the annual Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge charity event.