A ribbon-cutting ceremony recently was held at the Chickasaw Nation’s West Bay Casino and Resort in Kingston, Oklahoma. The new venue occupies the 61-acre site of the former Lake Texoma State Lodge, built in 1957 and demolished in 2009. The new casino resort is the result of a collaboration between the tribe and the state.
Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby said, “What you see here today is a resort we believe will serve new generations of Oklahomans and those from outside our state who visit here, much as Lake Texoma State Lodge served the tourists of its era. The ripple effects of the Chickasaw Nation’s investment will be felt in businesses in the town of Kingston and across this part of Oklahoma, as more and more visitors begin returning to this beautiful area.”
West Bay Casino and Resort features a casino and a luxury 3-story, 40-room hotel with meeting space, outdoor pool and recreation areas, fitness center, gift shop, business center and restaurant. Also included are 10 4-bedroom cabins with full-service kitchens and fireplaces. Visitors will enjoy spectacular views of Lake Texoma and the historic Roosevelt Bridge.
According to a Chickasaw Nation study, the new development will have nearly a $58 million economic impact in its first year of operation and will have an estimated $168 million economic impact in the next five years. The project created more than 170 jobs.
Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren said, “We anticipate West Bay will be an anchor tourist destination at Lake Texoma. There are an estimated 6 million visitors to the area each year, and it is our goal to not only increase that traffic, but give visitors a fun, inviting, quality experience that will entice them to stay even longer.”
Elsewhere in the state, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma announced it will collaborate with Caesars Entertainment to develop a casino resort between Tulsa and Oklahoma. The project, which will carry the Harrah’s brand, will be built in phases with phase one including the casino and dining options. The second phase will include a hotel.
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Chairman Perri Ahhaitty said, “The partnership with Caesars Entertainment will create much-needed job opportunities for tribal members and neighboring communities. The tribe is eager to foster a long-lasting and prosperous relationship with Caesars Entertainment and the local community through the establishment of the brand-new Harrah’s resort in Oklahoma.”
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma already owns and operates Cimarron Casino in Perkins and Ioway Casino in Chandler, plus slot machines at the Iowa Travel Plaza and Mart.
