Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola Unveils $140 Million Expansion With New 7-Story Hotel Tower, Resort-Style Pool, Spa and Casino Upgrades

$140 Million Tribal Casino Expansion Targets Regional Growth

The $140 million Choctaw Pocola expansion is one of the largest investments in the property's history and underscores the Choctaw Nation commitment to tribal gaming, hospitality, and tourism in eastern Oklahoma. Already recognized as LeFlore County's largest employer, Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola serves guests from Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and the broader Northwest Arkansas metro.

By doubling hotel capacity and adding resort-style amenities, the project is designed to increase overnight stays, attract more weekend visitors, and keep Pocola competitive with other tribal casinos and commercial properties across Oklahoma and Arkansas.

New 7-Story Hotel Tower Adds 130 Rooms and Premium Suites

At the heart of the expansion is a new 7-story hotel tower that will add approximately 130 guest rooms, including premium suites tailored to high-value leisure and casino guests. Once complete, the project will effectively double the resort's hotel capacity, allowing Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola to host larger events, tournaments, and entertainment weekends.

The tower is planned with contemporary design, upgraded in-room technology, and modern finishes that align with the elevated look and feel of the Choctaw Casinos & Resorts brand, reinforcing Pocola's status as a destination casino resort.

Resort-Style Pool, Full-Service Spa and 24-Hour Fitness Center

The expansion introduces a full suite of resort-style amenities that move Pocola beyond a gaming-only property:

• Resort-style pool with cabanas and bar: An outdoor pool area featuring private cabanas, lounge seating and a dedicated bar, creating a social hub for guests during warm-weather months.
• Full-service spa: A new spa offering massage, skincare and relaxation services, giving visitors a wellness-focused complement to the casino experience.
• 24-hour fitness center: A modern fitness facility equipped with cardio and strength-training equipment, available around the clock for hotel guests.
• Coffee and tea bar: A new concept featuring specialty coffee drinks, teas and grab-and-go items for early-morning guests and late-night players.

These amenities are designed to broaden the appeal of Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola, making it more competitive with other Oklahoma casino resorts and attractive to couples, groups and leisure travelers seeking a full-service destination.

Existing 118-Room Hotel and Casino Floor Get Full Refresh

In addition to new construction, the expansion includes a comprehensive refresh of the existing 118-room hotel. Plans call for new carpet, lighting, bathroom fixtures and updated furnishings throughout, bringing the current inventory in line with the design standards of the new tower.

The casino floor will receive new carpet and lighting, along with upgraded registration and restroom areas. The property's poker room and off-track betting (OTB) area will be relocated into redesigned spaces that improve guest flow, comfort and visibility.

Restaurant and bar venues across the resort will be rebranded and refreshed, with updated interiors and enhanced food and craft-cocktail offerings that reflect current dining trends and guest expectations in the tribal casino resort market.

Leadership Emphasizes Jobs, Community Impact and Competitive Edge

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton has highlighted that the Pocola expansion is both a hospitality upgrade and a significant investment in jobs and community impact. As LeFlore County's largest employer, the resort is expected to support additional construction and permanent positions once the project is complete.

General Manager Christy Chaser has described the expansion as a transformative step that "doubles our hotel capacity" and introduces "contemporary, elevated amenities" designed to meet growing demand from guests across Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley and eastern Oklahoma. The project is expected to strengthen Pocola's competitive position among tribal casinos and regional entertainment destinations.

Construction Partners and Fall 2026 Groundbreaking

The expansion is being developed in partnership with Tutor Perini Construction and JCJ Architecture, firms with extensive experience in large-scale resort and gaming projects. An official groundbreaking is scheduled for Fall 2026, with construction expected to proceed in phases to minimize disruption to current operations.

During construction, Choctaw Casino & Resort - Pocola plans to maintain regular gaming, dining and entertainment offerings while gradually introducing refreshed spaces and new amenities as they come online.