Oklahoma: Choctaws to demolish original hotel at Durant casino resort to set grounds for revamp, expansion

Choctaw Casinos and Resorts -the gaming and hospitality chain of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma- is demolishing the original hotel of its Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant property, in order to make way for future development.

The business said it is “removing a piece of history” from its casino property by tearing down the Choctaw Inn, a 100-room hotel. The tribe built the Inn in the early 2000s, and the property has provided more amenities and updated hotel offerings for its guests as regional and national interest in the property grew over the years.

“We are sad to see the Inn go. It will always be an important part of our history and symbolize our beginnings and the start of our success in this casino and resort business,” said Heidi Grant, Executive Officer of Gaming & Hospitality for the Choctaw Nation Division of Commerce. 

“However, as we look to the future for the property, we know it is important to elevate our overall gaming and hospitality experience to meet the needs of our discerning guests who are looking for modern accommodations and exceptional service,” added Grant.

Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant was built in 2006, and the resort’s first hotel tower was built in 2010. As a part of a major property expansion in 2015, the resort opened the Spa Tower and, most recently, the 21-story luxury Sky Tower, a $600 million tower with 1,000 hotel rooms, 3,300 additional slot machines, new restaurants, three acres of swimming pools, and more.

As a part of this ongoing project, the original Grand Tower, located right off the casino floor, will now undergo extensive remodeling this summer, in order to bring it to a similarly “impressive aesthetic and comfort level” to the new Sky Tower.

The demolition of the Choctaw Inn is the first phase of the Grand Tower remodel project, and will be performed by California-headquartered general contractor Tutor Perini Building Corp. (TPBC). The company has completed more than 30 projects for various tribal nations over the past 25 years.

The property in Durant, Oklahoma, is located an hour north of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. It is a AAA Four Diamond resort and entertainment destination, popular among both North Texans and Southeast Oklahomans.

The three-level convention/entertainment venue offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting and convention space with seating for more than 3,000. Resort amenities include swimming, shopping, dining, a spa, and an entertainment complex called The District, with dining, drinks, 20 bowling lanes, a 70-game arcade, and a state-of-the-art movie theater.

In terms of its gaming offering, the property provides over 7,400 slot machines; over 100 tables offering Craps, Roulette, Baccarat, Pai Gow and Blackjack; a new Poker Room with over 25 tables at the Sky Casino; a racebook with wall-to-wall TVs and three self-service terminals; and more.

Last month, the Choctaw tribe launched Choctaw Slots, a free-to-play gaming experience for the social casino segment featuring more than 100 casino favorites, including slots, video poker, blackjack, keno, and more. Users can play their favorite slots from the casino floor from providers like Konami, AGS, Everi, Aruze, and more.

“Choctaw Casinos & Resorts is seizing the opportunity to enhance the overall gaming experience beyond Southeastern Oklahoma as users can play Choctaw Slots on any device and from anywhere around the world,” said Wendy Carter, Executive Director of Gaming Marketing at Choctaw Casino & Resort Durant.