The gaming enterprise of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is about to expand as the tribe is now ready to begin to break ground on their 10th gaming venue?near Grove. The new facility will have 400 various gaming machines with a restaurant and bar on-site. A venue for live music will be created as well for bands to perform with a dance floor for patrons.
Speaking with the Grand Lake News, Chief Bill John Baker, stated that the tribe understands the role their businesses play in the lives of Cherokee Nation citizens and the future of the tribe. Facilities like the new casino are created to provide quality jobs for citizens and help to build economies and provide funds for services that are for the Cherokee people.
The new venue has under consideration since late 2014 and will have a location at a site consisting of 24 acres, near the Grove community. The tribe has ownership of around 21.3 acres there and an Indian family will be providing an additional 2.7 acres that they own.
In most cases, land that is gained after 1988 cannot be used to create a gaming venue based on the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. However, Section 20 has exceptions for land that is located within a former reservation in the state of Oklahoma. The land located in Grove seems to meet the requirements in this section of law.
If the site is able to qualify for the exception of Section 20, the tribe may not have to hold to that exception to be able to offer casino gaming. The casino could actually be placed on restricted area of the site that would allow for such gaming options. The area in which the gaming venue will be placed is near the Grand Lake Casino and Grand Lake Lodge, both properties of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe.