Today the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma breaks ground on its new Cherokee Casino Tahlequah at 1pm at Cherokee Springs Plaza, east of Highway 62 at Nancy Ward Drive.

The new casino in Tahlequah, Oklahoma replaces the existing Cherokee Casino Tahlequah located a few miles south of Tahlequah. The existing facility offers approximately 20,000 square feet of gaming with 400 electronic games, a restaurant/café and Cherokee Trails Golf Course located adjacent to the casino.

Slated to open in 2019 at Cherokee Springs Plaza, the new facility will see more entertainment, dining and convention options brought to Tahlequah.

According to the press release, in addition to 525 electronic games, the new 92,000 square foot facility will feature a restaurant, a quick eats café, a full-service bar, a live music venue, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage stations and upwards of 33,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment, LLC is the gaming, entertainment and retail business of the Cherokee Nation. It owns and operates Hard Rock hotel & Casino in Tulsa; along with nine Cherokee Casinos, including a horse racing track/Will Rodgers Downs; three hotels; three golf courses and various other retail operations.

A major contributor to the economy of Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation and its businesses currently employ more than 11,000 people and have a $2.03 billion economic impact on the Sooner State.