After purchasing the property in 2013, officially breaking ground in the spring of 2016, and a topping off ceremony on June 20, 2016, before a soft launch in December, the Cherokee Nation has officially opened its new casino in Grove, Oklahoma on Tuesday. The Grand Lake area will have 175 new jobs at the $30 million casino and entertainment complex, the tenth casino in the tribe’s portfolio.

The casino offers 400 electronic gaming machines, alive music venue, dance floor, a full-service bar, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, and a restaurant over nearly 40,000 square feet of developed space. The design is lodge-style and rustic with an outdoor patio and small event space.

Cherokee Casino Grove is located on a 24-acre site at the intersection of Highway 59 and East 250 Road, close to the Shangri-La Resort and Country Club on the tip of Grand Lake’s Monkey Island.

“Cherokee Nation continues to be a good partner in Grove and all of Delaware County. Our new facility creates good-paying jobs and will improve the lives of many local Cherokee Nation citizens,” said Principal Chief Bill John Baker. “The jobs and business growth mean Cherokee Nation is investing our money locally and helping build a stronger economy. Most importantly, we are enabling Cherokees to live better, healthier lives.”

According to a report on nativenewsonline.net, the tribe spent some $3.8 million on expanding utility infrastructure from the city to the Tom Cat Corner location. The water and sewer services can be tapped into by local businesses and residents, making future development in the area much less costly.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment is a wholly owned unit of the Cherokee Nation and employs over 4,000 people, all with jobs that pay above the federal minimum wage and include health care and other benefits. In addition to Grove and eight other Cherokee Casinos, CNE also operates the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa. Offerings throughout CNR properties include horse racing, hotels, golf, and retail operations.