Choctaw Casino Oklahoma Reopening

Oklahoma tribal casinos operated by the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw and Muscogee (Creek) nations will remain closed at least through May 15, tribal officials said Tuesday. Oklahoma has nearly three-dozen tribes that operate gaming operations at more than 130 locations in the state. Jena Choctaw Pines Casino will reopen on Friday, May 22, at 8 a.m. “We have carefully evaluated the recommendations from highly respected sources and have developed a comprehensive public health. NBCUniversal, Inc. WinStar World and Choctaw casinos and resorts, just across the Texas-Oklahoma border, will open Wednesday for the first time since March. North Texans are looking for ways to get. Choctaw Casino reopened on May 27, 2020.

byRandy Ellis

Oklahoma tribal casinos operated by the Chickasaw, Cherokee, Choctaw and Muscogee (Creek) nations will remain closed at least through May 15, tribal officials said Tuesday.

Oklahoma has nearly three-dozen tribes that operate gaming operations at more than 130 locations in the state. Those gaming operations range from electronic machines at gas stops to full scale resort casinos.

All the tribes closed their casinos in March in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Each tribe has its own government and will be making its own decision on when to reopen.

Choctaw Casino Oklahoma Reopening Casinos

The Chickasaw, Choctaw, Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) nations all have been paying their casino workers while gaming operations have been suspended and said they plan to continue doing that at least through May 15.

Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said that in addition to casinos, Chickasaw Nation businesses, historic sites and offices whose closures were previously announced will remain closed through May 15. Chickasaw Travel Stops will remain open as a public service, he said.

“Health professionals advise that recent measures enacted to help mitigate the spread of the virus are beginning to work because of widespread participation,' Anoatubby said. “Health professionals also advise to take a cautious approach toward reopening in order to preserve recent gains and prevent a resurgence in new cases.'

Anoatubby said Chickasaw leaders continue to monitor data regarding the virus and are working to 'develop a comprehensive plan for a phased reopening of our operations while being mindful of protecting public health.'

Kristina Humenesky, spokeswoman for the Choctaw Nation, described the situation as fluid but said Choctaw tribal officials know that their casinos will remain closed at least through May 15.'Our top priority is the health and safety of our guests, associates, vendors, entertainment partners and individuals in the communities,' Humenesky said. 'We are still developing a plan in coordination with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to make sure when we open associates and guests will be safe.'We're still weighing everything and trying to determine when to reopen,' said Brandon Scott, spokesman for the Cherokee Nation.

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'We think we've done everything we can and we're now in a wait and see mode,' said Jason Salsman, spokesman for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

Related Photos

Several casinos in Oklahoma will wait until at least May 15 before opening. [File photo]

For the past 30 years, staff writer Randy Ellis has exposed public corruption and government mismanagement in news articles. Ellis has investigated problems in Oklahoma's higher education institutions and wrote stories that ultimately led to two... Read more ›

Casinos in southern Oklahoma are preparing to reopen after being closed for more than two months.

North Texans are looking for ways to get away.

Wednesday, two destinations within driving distance will reopen.

Both WinStar World and Choctaw casinos and resorts, just across the Texas-Oklahoma border, will open for the first time since March.

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At WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, luck isn't the only thing visitors will need.

Guests and employees will be required to wear masks, and temperatures will be checked at the door.

Choctaw Casino Oklahoma Reopening

“We're going to be patient and careful and not let emotion overtake patience,” WinStar General Manager Jack Parkinson said.

Casinos in Las Vegas plan to reopen in early June with many of the same safety measures in place closer to home.

Slot machines will spaced out, half the chairs will be gone, and self-serve drink stations and buffets will be staffed. The non-smoking section has also been doubled.

“We'll have hordesof humans, employees, chasing after people, cleaning up after them and makingsure that we're sterile at all times,” Parkinson said.

Customers will see social distancing reminders and hand sanitizer everywhere, but the most striking difference will be table games that remain closed at WinStar.

Choctaw Casino Oklahoma Reopening Date

When we do open it'll only be three people at a table instead of seven,” Parkinson said.

Table games will reopen at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, but limited to every other seat. Tables in play will be staggered. Guests will also be encouraged, but not required, to wear masks at Choctaw.

Both casinos said they planned to limit capacity and close for several hours overnight for deep cleaning, including a use of electrostatic sprayers and EPA-certified chemicals, according to Parkinson.

“It's a cost that's calculated and well worth it,” he said.

Parkinson said WinStar has done everything to prepare and planned to reopen in phases because the stakes couldn't be higher.

He said all 4,000 WinStar employees were tested for the coronavirus before they returned to work and the casino will perform random testing every two weeks.
Click here for reopening protocols for WinStar Word Casino and Resort and Choctaw Casino & Resort.