Openings & Closings

Cherokee Nation opens $10M gaming facility by Kansas border

Friday, March 6, 2015

Cherokee Chief Bill John Baker, center with scissors, is joined by tribal officials and employees in the opening of the new casino in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma. Photo from Anadisgoi

The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma continues to grow its gaming empire, creating jobs and opportunity in the process.

The tribe debuted a $10 million casino in South Coffeyville on Thursday. Of the 135 employees at the facility, more than 100 are Cherokee citizens.

"We have more Cherokees employed in our businesses than ever before. That’s accomplishing the goal, folks," Chief Bill John Baker said at the ribbon-cutting. These jobs provide a good quality of life for our people and generate funding to expand services for those in need.”

The 17,000 square-foot center offers 300 electronic games and a dining venue. It's located on an Indian allotment just one mile south of the Kansas border.

Indianz.Com on YouTube: Cherokee Nation Casino in South Coffeyville

In a video posted on Anadisgoi, the tribe's news site, Baker noted that the casino is located "as far north" as the tribe can go in Oklahoma. The facility is more than 110 miles from tribal headquarters in Tahlequah and more than 66 miles from the flagship Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Tulsa.

The allotment falls within the original Cherokee Reservation. As a result, the tribe did not go through any land-into-trust or other types of reviews to open the casino.

An exterior view of the casino in South Coffeyville. Image from Anadisgoi

"This long-awaited casino and the 135 jobs it creates is a godsend for this area," said Victoria Vazquez, a council member for the district that includes South Coffeyville. "Cherokee citizens have hoped for economic development in this area for a long time, and now that dream is a reality. I look forward to the future growth of this property and the surrounding area."

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation Opens Casino In Nowata County (News on 6 3/5)
Cherokee Nation Opens New Casino in South Coffeyville (Bartlesville Radio 3/5)
Cherokees cut ribbon for new South Coffeyville casino, the tribe's ninth (The Tulsa World 3/7)