In Oklahoma, the Iowa Tribe is building a casino resort along the Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The facility, to be operated by Caesars Entertainment, will be built in phases with a casino and dining options in the first phase, followed by a hotel and full resort amenities. Ultimately the casino will offer 1,000 slots, officials said.
The grand opening still is a few years away, said Tribal Chairman Jacob Keyes, but “we’re super excited. It’s a big deal for our people and the community.” Tribal Vice Chairman Perri Ahhaitty added, “Caesars Entertainment is the largest gaming company in North America. They have a strong track record of partnering with Native American tribes across the country, making them an easy choice to help us develop a world-class, full-service resort experience. With Caesars, our guests will have the ability to leverage the Caesars Rewards program, adding value and extending the reach for us in Oklahoma and beyond.”
The new casino resort also will impact the state economy by adding several hundred jobs, Keyes said. “The tribes are the third-largest employer in the state and we’re hoping to add to that by several hundred and more by the time we build the hotel,” he said.
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma currently owns and operates the Cimarron Casino and Ioway Casino plus slot machines at the Iowa Travel Plaza and Mart.
