The Osage Nation recently opened its newest and largest casino, the $160 million Osage Casino and Hotel, located near downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. At opening ceremonies, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said, “This is where we derive our revenue for our programs to serve our elderly, our youth, our language retention and just about every aspect of our government. These casino funds have some impact.” Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise Board Chairman Mark Simms added, “This has kind of been my dream. I’ve been on it since the beginning.”
Osage Casino Tulsa has a 247,000 square foot gaming floor with 1,500 electronic games and 16 table games, 141-room hotel with event space, 4,000 square foot brewery, new parking garage, 6,000 square foot outdoor entertainment area with a 120,000 gallon pool, fire pit, poolside bar and 15-person hot tub. Osage Nation officials said the hotel and casino will create more than 400 jobs with an annual payroll of $32 million.
The facility is expected to generate about 49 percent of the tribe’s income, officials said. The Osage Nation operates seven casinos in Oklahoma.
