Public Relations

Chickasaw Nation emerges as major player with shows at casino

Monday, December 7, 2015

Willie Nelson performed at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, on November 27, 2015. Photo from Facebook

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma is drawing major entertainment acts to its casino, leaving competitors in neighboring Texas in the dust.

The WinStar World Casino and Resort features the 3,500-seat Global Events Center and The Colosseum, a 9,000-seat outdoor stage. Both venues are drawing top musicians, comedians and other acts that might otherwise perform in the Dallas, Texas, area.

And since the contracts typically include non-compete clauses, rival venues aren't able to book the same shows, Dallas Morning News columnist Michael Granberry reported. Dallas is about 80 miles south of the casino.

“We operate the Global Event Center in line with industry standards and are dedicated to the customer experience," Michael McEwan, an assistant general manager at Winstar, told the paper. "For our concert fans, that means offering popular music and comedy acts, and that’s what we are focused on providing.”

Get the Story:
Michael Granberry: Entertainment wars: D-FW venues complain WinStar casino makes it hard to compete for big names (The Dallas Morning News 12/5)