Oklahoma State Flag(credit: Wikipedia)
Oklahoma has its fair share of casinos totaling about 132 statewide, but the source of recent growth in the industry comes from across the borders. Oklahoma State Treasurer Scott Meacham modestly estimates that upwards from 25 percent of Oklahoma casino revenues come from out of state. The casinos along the Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri state lines have flourished.
Because the states around Oklahoma do not have legal gambling, many Oklahoma tribes have found key locations along the borders to provide a haven for out-of-state gamblers. Easy accessibility across the state line to that favorite gambling spot or poker room is as easy as jumping on the highway.
At the Arkansas border sits the Choctaw Casino in Pocola and Cherokee Casino in W. Siloam Springs. Choctaw Casino has over 1,000 gaming machines along with blackjack, entertainment venues and a sensational 18 table enclosed poker room. They estimate that 68% of their customers are from out of state coming from primarily Arkansas communities such as Fort Smith, Fayetteville and Van Buren. Cherokee Casino is expanding its property in an $83 million expansion project but currently has over 1,000 gaming machines and 12 poker tables along with hotel accommodations.
Five casinos are dotted along U.S. Highway 77 near the Kansas Border. Kansans pour across the state line to play poker in the new poker room at First Council Casino and also at Southwind Casino. A large majority of its patron base is out of state, drawing from the crowds of home-game players from Wichita, Arkansas City, Wellington, Winfield and Derby.