“This new enterprise will offer new entertainment options which could significantly increase tourism in the area,” said Chickasaw governor, Bill Anoatubby. Salt Creek development reflects the Chickasaw’s effort to solidify their presence within every direction of their original jurisdiction, officials said. Prior to Pocasset, the tribe developed in decidedly eastern Oklahoma with casinos sitting as far south as their evergreen WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Okla., near the Texas border and skirting the metropolitan Oklahoma City area with their Riverwind Casino. Pocasset marks one of the western-most boundaries on lands given to the tribe after relocation to Oklahoma from their homelands in Mississippi during the 1830s, officials said. While there is no real boundary marking the east side of Oklahoma from the west, Interstate 35 is regarded as a black top dividing line separating the state’s 38 federally recognized tribes in two broad categories. “After careful consideration we decided expansion into this area would enable us to offer more job opportunities and entertainment options that would benefit everyone concerned.” “Several Chickasaws have asked us to expand our operations into this area of the state,” Lance said. Bill Lance, CEO of CNE, said that other factors played into the Chickasaws’ Salt Creek Casino location. When complete, the facility will have 500 electronic games and six table games and is expected to create about 150 jobs.Ĭhickasaw Nation Enterprise (CNE) officials said the move to expand westward on the 190-acre plot had been in the works for about two years. It looks like a typical gaming expansion but the site is located farther northwest than the 38,000-citizen tribe has ventured in Oklahoma. A large swath has been cut to make room for this Grady County casino that marks the tribe’s 18th gaming site. – About a mile off a ribbon of state highway that drivers mainly use to avoid a nearby toll road, the Chickasaw Nation is leveling dirt for the Salt Creek Casino.

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