The Osage Nation’s new Tulsa casino and hotel is open for business.
The 247,000-square foot property north of downtown Tulsa includes 141 hotel rooms, event space, a pool and a full-service brewery. Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said the $160 million investment is well worth it.
"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," Standing Bear said.
Osage Nation Gaming Enterprise Board Chair Mark Simms said they’re hoping for a boost in casino revenues.
"This property right here probably would make about 49 percent of our tribal income. We’re hoping to raise that percentage, and I think we will," Simms said.
Osage Nation officials said the hotel and casino will eventually employ more than 400 workers and pay $32 million a year in wages. Local officials are hoping the project helps economic development efforts in north Tulsa and leads to an increase in tourist traffic to the city.
Osage Nation Congressional Speaker R.J. Walker said the project has been a long time coming.
"We wanted to build the Tulsa casino first. We knew it was going to be our moneymaker, but hard decisions had to be made. There were consultant contracts or land into trust issues," Walker said.
Osage Nation operates seven casinos in Oklahoma.
