Oklahoma: Osage Nation sets October 4 as opening date for new casino-hotel in Pawhuska

In a recent announcement made during a Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce luncheon on September 7th, Geoffrey Standing Bear, the principal chief of the Osage Nation, revealed that October 4th is the targeted date for the soft opening of the highly-anticipated new Osage Casino in Pawhuska.

The Osage Nation embarked on the casino-hotel project in June 2021, with plans to complete it by the fall of 2022. However, the project faced significant challenges due to supply chain disruptions and escalating costs, causing delays in its progress.

Chief Standing Bear shared his expectations of a subsequent opening of another casino-hotel in Bartlesville a couple of months after the Pawhuska soft launch, the Pawhuska Journal-Capital reported. He was the featured speaker at a "Lunch and Learn" meeting organized by the Chamber, attended by approximately 35-40 individuals.

The soft opening on October 4 will reportedly be an exclusive preview for members of the Osage tribe, followed by the grand opening the next day, on October 5. “This property has been a long time coming. We’re so proud to share this beautiful facility with the Pawhuska community and our Nation, and it’s amazing to see all the hard work come to fruition,” Osage Casinos CEO Kimberly Pearson reportedly stated.

The new Osage Casino and Hotel in Pawhuska is poised to bring 47 hotel rooms to a tourist destination community that has long been in need of additional lodging options. Furthermore, the project is anticipated to generate more employment opportunities in the region. Mason Shackelford, the venue's general manager, previously stated that the property is likely to employ between 120-130 individuals.

The Pawhuska project will be situated across 60 acres at 1421 John Dahl Ave., situated opposite its current location along Oklahoma 60. The facility will feature a 47-room hotel, 3,675 square feet of meeting space, and 250 electronic gaming machines. Additionally, it will house a fitness center and a pool and hot tub area.

An added benefit to the local community is the inclusion of banquet rooms within the new Osage Casino and Hotel, expanding options for local organizations and families seeking venues for their celebrations.

Once the new property is officially launched on October 5, the existing Pawhuska Village casino property will reportedly close after 20 years of operation.