It’s also known for its entertainment lineup, though live events were canceled or postponed during the pandemic.Ĭhoctaw, which closed March 16 and reopened with COVID-19 protocols on June 1, 2020, resumes live entertainment in August, reports the Dallas News.Ĭarter said consumer demand was the key reason for the tower expansion, along with opportunities to elevate the guest experience. WinStar has nearly 400,000 square feet of gaming floor and over 8,600 electronic games. “They create this southern Oklahoma gambling complex that draws from the captive audience that is North Texas.” “To some degree, they’re in a competition, and to some degree, they’re complementary,” Dean said. Kyle Dean, director of the Native American and Urban Studies Center at Oklahoma City University, said the competition between these Oklahoma casinos lies in the attractions each offer, driving different interests to different locations. Choctaw estimates that two-thirds of its visitors live in Dallas-Fort Worth, while Texans represent 80% of all patrons.Ĭhoctaw assistant general manager Wendy Carter, said: “We have purposely designed our new expansion to appeal to all guests in the nearby states of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas by providing an elevated resort-style gaming experience within a short distance from home.” Both are a little over 80 miles from downtown Dallas.

The tower in Durant, Oklahoma, broke ground in 2019, and despite its price tag leaves the tribe with no debt.Ĭhoctaw and the Chickasaw Nation’s Winstar World Casino are popular destinations for North Texans, who make up a large percentage of casino visitors each year. The expansion also brings in 40 new poker tables and over 3,300 new slot machines, raising Choctaw’s total to 136 tables and over 7,200 machines. Set to open to the public on August 6, the tower features 1,000 new hotel rooms, six restaurants, 11 bars, and a 3-acre, two-swimming pool area. The 300,000-square-foot Sky Tower represents a $600 million expansion that progressed despite the pandemic’s debilitating economic fallout. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has added a new 21-story tower to its Oklahoma resort and casino. Choctaw officials said consumer demand was the key reason for the tower expansion, which is located about 80 miles away from Downtown Dallas, in Durant. The expansion brings in 40 new poker tables and 3,300+ new slot machines raising the total to 136 and over 7,200, respectively.

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