Blazing a Trail: United Keetoowah Band's Casino Comeback
Band of Keetoowah United moves forward with plans to reopen casino in Oklahoma
Stirring up a storm in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the United Keetoowah Band (UKB) of Cherokee Indians is making headways towards revitalizing a casino, following a recent nod from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) in 2025. This decision grants the tribe the sovereign right to operate gaming facilities, overturning the 2013 closure of the Keetoowah Cherokee Casino that took place due to a legal squabble over land rights.
In April 2025, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) gave the green light to the UKB’s gaming code—a crucial regulatory requirement for casino operation. The code lays out the rules of the game, encompassing employee standards, and governs payouts and operational protocols.
The ball now lies in the DOI's court, with the tribe awaiting a decision on their land-into-trust application for the 2.03-acre Tahlequah site. If approved and the rubble of the demolished casino is cleared away, the UKB plans to build anew. The projected revenue from the casino's slots and table games would allocate 12%-15% and 18% respectively to Oklahoma under the gaming compact, funding essential member services.
While the exact timeline remains unclear, this milestone marks the most significant advancement since the controversial 2013 shutdown. Let the dice roll, and see what the future holds for the tribe's gaming empire!
The United Keetoowah Band (UKB) of Cherokee Indians, following the 2025 approval by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), will adhere to the National Indian Gaming Commission's (NIGC) green lighted gaming code for their casino. This code, crucial for operation, outlines employee standards and governs payouts and operational protocols. The tribe now waits for a decision on their land-into-trust application, with plans to build anew if approved, as per the gaming compact, ensuring legal payouts to Oklahoma from the casinos slots and table games.
