BRIDGEPORT, NY - Hundreds of people lined up to be first in the doors when the the Oneida Nation's Point Place Casino in Bridgeport opened this morning.

The line snaked around the building as Point Place workers handed out cookies and coffee to people huddled in line. It was in the low 30 degrees this morning.

Some people came as early as 4:30 a.m. - waiting until 10 a.m. for the casino to open its doors.

"It's a good day to win,'' said Madeline Shepard of Hannibal, who waited in line for more than an hour with her daughter, Sharon. "I wanted a little vacation from home, and I like to play the slots because it's relaxing. Plus I think the first day is lucky."

As the doors opened, people grabbed their free Point Place T-shirt (there were 1,000 available) and rushed to find a slot machine or game table. Many cheered and yelled as they rushed inside the double doors.

Shawn and Crystal Wright of Pulaski won $800 at Yellow Brick Road Casino in the past, and wanted to see if the machines would be lucky on the first day.

"We like to play Keno on the slot machine - it's kind of like Quick Draw,'' Crystal Wright said. "And we wanted to be here to be one of the first in the new casino. It's exciting."

The $40 million casino is off Route 31 near the corner of Bridgeport-Kirkville Road in the town of Sullivan in Madison County - less than 1,000 feet from the Onondaga County line.

The 65,000-square-foot casino has parking for more than 800 cars, along with 500 slot machines and 20 table games.

Bud Belair of Bridgeport arrived at 7 a.m., and once inside sat down at a slot machine, and then was headed for the Blackjack table. He said he hoped he'd have some luck as the machines are new.

The smoke-free casino also has two fast-casual restaurants, which were open and ready for customers:

• Wicked Good Pizza, which has locations at Yellow Brick Road Casino in Chittenango and Turning Stone in Verona
• The Burgers of Madison County, a family-friendly restaurant with burgers, milkshakes and more.

Opals Confectionery, a chocolatier and bakery with a shop at Turning Stone, also is open at Point Place. The restaurants and bars have seating for more than 325 people.

The two main restaurants have entrances from the outside, so families with children or others can dine without going into the casino.

The casino also has two bars: The Fireside Lounge, and Paddle Bar. There also are three heated outdoor patios - the only spots where smoking will be permitted.

The casino plans local bands several nights a week. An indoor wood-burning fireplace with seating is open in The Fireside Lounge.