After braving construction delays, the Pawhuska Osage Casino & Hotel is opening its doors on Oct. 5 with a ribbon-cutting commemoration and will host an Oct. 4 exclusive preview of the property for Osage tribal members.
Osage Casinos announced the Pawhuska opening festivities on Aug. 31 after casino management adjusted the opening date. Previously casino officials said the opening would take place before year’s end in wake of the supply chain issue with imported electrical switchgear equipment delayed for both the new Pawhuska and Bartlesville gaming properties.
“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 said in a statement.
Located just outside of downtown Pawhuska at the Highways 60 and 99 intersection, this new entertainment hub is in the heart of the Osage Nation, according to a news release. The new casino will boast an expanded gaming floor and over 3,000 square-feet of quality event space, an eatery and a 47-room hotel. The hotel also includes a fitness center and outdoor area outfitted with a pool, hot tub, and refreshment bar for guests to enjoy during their stay.
An opening date for the Bartlesville casino and hotel has yet to be announced. ON government and Gaming Enterprise officials broke ground on both projects in back-to-back ceremonies on June 15, 2021.
The adjusted casino opening date also comes as the worldwide anticipated release of the Martin Scorsese-directed “Killers of the Flower Moon” film will open on Oct. 20. Anticipating an increase in tourism and regional interest, Pearson previously said the casinos will open as soon as possible with the movie opening coming during her April presentation at the United Osages of Southern California gathering.
The new Pawhuska property will stand at 87,808 square feet, employ more than 100 people and serve as a hospitality resource for the influx of visitors and businesses coming to the Osage Nation. On the day the new casino officially opens, the existing location in the Pawhuska Village will close.
“At the heart of Osage Casinos is a dedication to supporting our Nation. As Pawhuska continues to expand, this new property is our chance to give back to our people and showcase Osage culture,” Pearson said. “We’re honored to be a part of the momentum taking place in our Nation’s capital.”