The Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation has recently announced that it has chosen Caesars Entertainment as its new casino partner. This partnership will see the two entities work together to develop a new casino resort in the city of Tahlequah, which is located in the northeastern part of the state.

The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest Native American tribes in the United States, with a population of over 370,000 people. The tribe operates several casinos throughout Oklahoma, including the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and the Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland.

The decision to partner with Caesars Entertainment comes after the tribe ended its previous partnership with Legends Resort & Casino, which had been selected as the preferred developer for the Tahlequah casino project in 2019. However, the project was delayed due to legal challenges and other issues, leading the Cherokee Nation to seek a new partner.

Caesars Entertainment is one of the largest casino operators in the world, with properties in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and other locations. The company recently merged with Eldorado Resorts, creating a new entity with a market capitalization of over $20 billion.

Under the terms of the partnership, Caesars Entertainment will provide management services for the new casino resort in Tahlequah. The company will also help to design and develop the property, which is expected to feature a hotel, restaurants, and other amenities.

The new casino resort is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the Tahlequah area and generate millions of dollars in revenue for the Cherokee Nation. The project is also expected to boost tourism in the region, as visitors from across Oklahoma and neighboring states come to enjoy the new casino and its amenities.

In a statement announcing the partnership, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said that Caesars Entertainment was chosen for its “extensive experience in gaming and hospitality” and its “commitment to responsible gaming practices.” He also noted that the partnership would help to “create new economic opportunities for Cherokee Nation citizens and the surrounding community.”

The partnership between the Cherokee Nation and Caesars Entertainment is just one example of the growing trend of Native American tribes partnering with major casino operators to develop new properties. As more states legalize casino gambling, these partnerships are likely to become even more common, as tribes seek to leverage their sovereignty and expertise in the gaming industry to create new economic opportunities for their communities.