Prairie Flower Casino, located in Carter Lake, Iowa, opened in November 2018 as an economic initiative of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. With recent expansions, the casino now offers a modern gaming environment, features over 600 slot machines, and serves as a symbol of both resilience and progress for the Ponca Tribe.

"New Level Radio has allowed us to be consistent in how we present our brand . . . The music, the messaging, it all works together to enhance the guest experience and make our staff’s jobs easier.

"It’s been a great partnership from Day 1."

- Director of Marketing at Prairie Flower Casino, Brett Ellis

Prairie Flower Casino Finds Its Groove with New Level Radio

The Challenge:

Creating the Right Vibe for a Growing Property

When Prairie Flower Casino first opened its doors in Carter Lake, Iowa, in November 2018, it was a modest 200-slot operation designed as a temporary facility. 

Over the years, that “temporary” space became home to a loyal following. In February 2025, the casino unveiled a major expansion featuring around 600 slots, electronic and live table games, and three new food and beverage outlets, including a sports bar, café, and signature center bar.

With that growth came a new challenge: matching the expanded atmosphere and diverse guest base with the right sound and messaging.

“When we first opened, we were just using DirecTV music channels,” says Brett Ellis, Director of Marketing at Prairie Flower Casino. “It turned into staff fighting over the remote or saying, ‘I don’t like this music.’ I had to remind them, ‘It’s not for you, it’s for our guests.’ But it became clear we needed something more consistent and strategic.”

"Every casino has its own rhythm.

Our goal is to match that rhythm throughout the day, welcoming the morning regulars with familiar favorites, then turning up the energy when the evening crowd hits the floor.

"That’s how you keep guests engaged and create a consistent brand feel.”

- New Level Radio CEO and Co-founder Nathan Green

The Solution:

A Smart Soundtrack that Works for Everyone

Ellis first learned about New Level Radio at a Raving Marketing Conference and immediately saw the potential.

“It just made sense for our property,” he recalls. “When I brought it to our general manager and we did a demo, he was just as impressed as I was. We moved forward, and we're very happy we did.”

Instead of generic background channels, New Level Radio provided a fully customized experience: curated music that shifts by time of day and demographic, mixed with professionally voiced promotional announcements.

“The music that plays when I get here in the morning is vastly different from what you’ll hear on a Friday or Saturday night,” Ellis says. “And that’s exactly how it should be.”

According to New Level Radio CEO and Co-Founder Nathan Green, this kind of flexibility is where the company thrives.

“Every casino has its own rhythm,” Green says. “Our goal is to match that rhythm throughout the day, welcoming the morning regulars with familiar favorites, then turning up the energy when the evening crowd hits the floor. That’s how you keep guests engaged and create a consistent brand feel.”

“Having professional announcements mixed in between songs is huge.

“It keeps our guests informed about promotions or amenities without staff having to repeat the same thing over and over. And it feels natural.

"People hear it, they react, and they ask questions. That’s how we know it’s working.”

- Director of Marketing at Prairie Flower Casino, Brett Ellis



The Result: 

Engaged Guests and Promotions that Pop

Ellis says one of the biggest benefits has been consistency, not just in the sound, but in messaging.

“Having professional announcements mixed in between songs is huge,” he explains. “It keeps our guests informed about promotions or amenities without staff having to repeat the same thing over and over. And it feels natural. People hear it, they react, and they ask questions. That’s how we know it’s working.”

For example, Prairie Flower’s kiosk-based promotions — like wheel spins and scratch-offs — have seen more traction since implementing New Level Radio.

“Guests will hear an announcement about a promotion and come up to ask about it,” Ellis says. “They’re listening. It’s helped drive participation, new member signups, and even increased visits to our new outlets.”

Green agrees that casinos are uniquely positioned to benefit from this kind of targeted messaging.

“When you have a captive audience, that’s an incredible opportunity,” he says. “Guests stay in the moment while still taking in information that benefits both them and the property.”

Top-Tier Support Around the Clock

In a 24/7 industry, responsiveness matters. And Ellis says New Level Radio delivers.

“The team is fantastic,” he says. “If something comes up, even on a weekend, I’ll send an email, and it’s fixed within hours. That’s huge for us. We’re always open, so having a vendor that understands that is invaluable.”

He recalls how smoothly the New Level Radio team handled the transition to the expanded property earlier this year.

“When we opened our new casino, I thought we could just move our box over and be set,” he says with a laugh. “Turns out we needed an additional device. Nathan and his team shipped it out immediately and walked our IT guys through setup. We didn’t miss a beat.”

“New Level Radio has allowed us to be consistent in how we present our brand,” Ellis says. “The music, the messaging, it all works together to enhance the guest experience and make our staff’s jobs easier. It’s been a great partnership from Day 1.”

Green agrees. “Casinos like Prairie Flower understand that music and messaging aren’t just background noise. They’re powerful tools that shape the guest experience. When you get that right, everything else clicks into place.