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An artist rendering for a new Cherokee Casino in Ramona, Okla., near Bartlesville, shows the building's unique design. The casino will open in late 2012. COURTESY PHOTO
By WILL CHAVEZ
Senior Reporter

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – David Stewart, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Entertainment announced recently a new casino project in Tahlequah is on hold.
  
“We have started work on the Ramona and Fort Gibson construction projects and we continue to progress on the Tahlequah construction project. The Tahlequah project is pending finalization of the site plan,” Stewart said during the regular Tribal Council meeting Sept. 12.
 
Last November, the Department of Interior allowed the CN to place 17 acres of land into trust at the junction of State Hwy. 82 and U.S. Hwy. 62 where the new casino will be built. It’s expected that along with the plans, the cost and size of the new casino will be revealed along with its amenities and the number of employees it will require to operate. 

The new casino will replace the current Cherokee Casino Tahlequah located on Hwy. 62 about a mile west of the planned construction site. 

Ground was broken for a new Cherokee Casino Fort Gibson June 6. The new facility should double the casino’s current workforce to nearly 200 when it opens in the fall of 2012, CNE officials said.

The current casino is 7,400 square feet and has been in use for eight years. The new 27,500-square-foot casino will house 500 electronic games. The property will also feature a restaurant and entertainment space.

“In less than 10 years and one expansion project, it became apparent that our guests needed a larger casino with more amenities,” Stewart said. “Our employees and guests really enjoy the close-knit family atmosphere at the current casino, and that is something that won’t be lost when we open the new building. They will have more room, more amenities and more games to enjoy.”

In late May, CNE also broke ground for a new casino in Ramona near Bartlesville to replace a smaller structure opened in May 2010. The new casino, also scheduled to open in the fall of 2012, will provide 70 new jobs. 

Also, in Catoosa, CNE is constructing an eight-story hotel tower at its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The tower will add 100 suites to the 350-room resort and will be the third tower for the property. It will also include 10,000 square feet of dining and entertainment space and 45,000 square feet of gaming space. 

Cherokee Nation Entertainment also operates gaming sites in Catoosa, West Siloam Springs, Fort Gibson, Sallisaw, Ramona, and Claremore.


will-chavez@cherokee.org • 918-207-3961