Cherokee Nation breaks ground on larger casino in capital city

Tuesday, March 27, 2018  

The Cherokee Nation will be opening a newer and larger casino in its capital city in Oklahoma.

The tribe broke ground on the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah on Monday. The 92,000-square-foot facility will feature 525 electronic games, a 144-seat restaurant, a cafe, a live music venue and a full-service bar.

“We believe in making sound investments that have a lasting impact on the Cherokee Nation and the Cherokee people,” Principal Chief Bill John Baker said in a press release. “This new property will be a regional attraction for tourism and economic development and is a complement to the work happening at Cherokee Springs Plaza and all over the Tahlequah area.”

The casino will be located at the Cherokee Springs Plaza, the tribe's multi-use development project. The 154-acre are includes several retail, dining and entertainment options, including the 18-hole Cherokee Springs Golf Course.

“We’ve taken one of the largest tracts in Tahlequah’s main corridor and are using it to grow the economy and create jobs,” said Shawn Slaton, CEO of Cherokee Nation Businesses. “We’ve attracted new restaurants and businesses and are now bringing first-class entertainment options to Cherokee Springs Plaza. We know this casino and economic development endeavor will have a lasting impact on the Cherokee Nation and the entire region.”

The casino currently employs 174 people, the tribe said. The expansion will add another 220 jobs to the facility.

Construction is expected to take less than a year, according to news reports. The old property is being donated to the Cherokee Immersion Charter School in Tahlequah.

The tribe operates nine gaming facilities in Oklahoma.

Read More on the Story:
Cherokee Nation begins construction on new Cherokee Casino Tahlequah (KFOR March 26, 2018)
New casino promises to bring jobs, money to Tahlequah (KTUL March 26, 2018)

Cherokee Nation set to break ground on gaming expansion project (March 15, 2018)