The Choctaw Nation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Choctaw Landing, the tribe’s new casino and luxury resort in Hochatown, Oklahoma.
Per Focus Gaming News, Chief Gary Batton told the crowd of 300-plus, “Any time you can bring our culture and our history together, along with economic development for our tribal members and the citizens of this area, it’s a great day. We broke ground down here two years ago, and to see our grand opening today and all the things we’re going to be able to bring to McCurtain County, it’s exciting. Hopefully, people will learn about Choctaw Nation here more than ever before.”
Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell told attendees the state’s native tribes are “leading the way in economic development. Oklahoma is Oklahoma because of our 39 sovereign nations. This is Native America. In Oklahoma, our tourism industry is the third largest industry in the state because of our sovereign nations.”
Officials said the casino resort has created more than 400 new jobs and is estimated to have a regional economic impact of $95 million.
The $238 million Choctaw Landing Casino features 600 slot machines and eight table games. The hotel offers 100 guest rooms including 15 suites, plus three conference rooms and more than 4,300 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and three outdoor dining and bar options, fitness center pool area with nine cabanas, two hot tubs and three fire pits, a 125-seat outdoor amphitheater and a mercantile with gifts, groceries, deli, Starbucks and 24-pump fuel station.
The tribe commissioned more than 20 Choctaw artists to create original artwork for the resort, including 40 pieces in public spaces, two large exterior sculptures including an interactive steel sculpture showcasing Choctaw dancers and 600 works displayed throughout guest rooms. Guests will be invited to participate in an art tour highlighting the culture, art and history of the Choctaw Nation, guided by a digital twin of Batton created through AI technology.
