Choctaw Casino & Resort-Pocola Launches $140M Expansion, Creating 150 Jobs

POCOLA, Oklahoma – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma broke ground on a $140 million expansion of Choctaw Casino & Resort-Pocola on November 5. The project will add a 130-room hotel tower, expand resort amenities and create more than 150 permanent jobs when completed in early 2029.

The 28-month development includes renovations to the existing hotel, casino floor, restaurants and guest facilities. Tribal officials estimate the expansion will generate approximately $20 million in additional annual economic activity once operational, alongside a larger economic contribution during construction.

Related: Hard Rock Casino Tejon Breaks Ground on $725M Hotel and Resort Expansion

Choctaw Casino Expansion Adds Seven-Story Hotel Tower

More than 200 tribal members, local officials and community representatives attended Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the Pocola resort, located near the Arkansas border and Fort Smith.

The centerpiece of the $140 million expansion project is Lumina Tower, a seven-story building featuring 130 additional guest rooms, including premium suites. The development will more than double the resort’s current hotel capacity of 118 rooms.

New amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool with private cabanas and an outdoor bar, a full-service spa, a 24-hour fitness center and the Onna Coffee & Tea Bar.

The Choctaw Nation also plans to renovate all 118 rooms in the existing Vista Tower, replacing furnishings, carpeting, lighting and bathroom fixtures. The hotel lobby and guest registration areas will receive upgrades, while the casino floor will undergo lighting and carpeting improvements.

Additional work will involve relocating and upgrading the poker room, off-track betting facilities and Rewards Club. The project also includes improvements to existing restaurants and bars, alongside plans for an Emeril Lagasse-branded restaurant.

Interior renovations are scheduled to begin November 29, resulting in temporary changes to dining operations. Square Pie will close, Trophy’s Bar & Grill will relocate into its space, and the current Trophy’s location will become IronWood Table, a new casual dining restaurant.

Tutor Perini Construction and JCJ Architecture are responsible for the construction and design work, respectively. The Choctaw Nation expects the completed project to open in early 2029.

Project Expected to Generate $179 Million During Construction

Tribal officials estimate that the expansion will generate approximately $179 million in regional economic activity during construction and support around 1,050 construction-related jobs. Construction payroll is projected to total $53.8 million.

Following completion, the resort expects to create more than 150 permanent positions, adding to its existing workforce of approximately 850 employees. The additional operations are projected to contribute $20 million annually to the regional economy.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton emphasized the property’s importance to LeFlore County and the surrounding communities.

The resort attracts customers from eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, including the Fort Smith metropolitan area. Fort Smith Mayor George McGill, who attended the groundbreaking, highlighted the property’s employment connections with Arkansas, noting that a substantial portion of its workforce lives across the state line.

Batton said the tribe evaluated regional population growth and tourism development before proceeding with the investment. He identified expansion in Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith and the Fort Chaffee area as factors supporting the decision.

Expansion Marks New Chapter for Pocola Casino

Choctaw Casino & Resort-Pocola began operating as a bingo hall in 1994 before developing into a larger casino and hospitality destination. A previous $60 million expansion, completed in 2013, introduced the existing hotel and significantly expanded its gaming and entertainment facilities.

Today, the property includes a casino floor, hotel accommodations, multiple dining establishments and more than 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The latest investment is intended to expand its appeal as a destination for overnight visitors rather than primarily serving customers making shorter casino visits.

General Manager Christy Chaser said the expansion would transform the property into a more comprehensive resort, offering visitors additional accommodation, dining and recreational options.

Chaser also expects the investment to attract visitors from a wider geographic area, supporting tourism and creating additional business opportunities for the surrounding communities.

The groundbreaking marks the transition from the project’s earlier planning stage to construction. With a 28-month timetable, the Choctaw Nation expects the expanded hotel and upgraded resort facilities to be completed in early 2029.

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