Choctaw Nation Commences $140 Million Pocola Casino Renovation

A $140 million expansion of the Choctaw Casino in Pocola, Okla., is set to deliver a projected $20 million annual economic impact upon completion. The project aims to transform the existing facility, which began operations in 1994 as a bingo hall, into a larger resort complex.

The site, located just yards from the Arkansas border near Fort Smith, has undergone multiple phases of development. In early 2013, the Choctaw Nation opened a $60 million casino and hotel addition. That facility featured more than 148,000 square feet of space, including a 118-room hotel, a 600-space parking garage, and expanded event areas.

Construction began on Nov. 5, 2026, following a gathering of more than 200 attendees. The new development will include a seven-story tower with 130 additional hotel rooms. Existing facilities will also be renovated. All 118 rooms in the current hotel will be refreshed, and the casino floor will receive new lighting and carpeting. The poker room, off-track betting area, and rewards club will move to new locations within the property.

Dining options are a central component of the plan. The expansion will feature an Emeril Lagasse-branded restaurant, part of the Emeril Group. Additional amenities include a resort-style pool with private cabanas, an outdoor bar, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and a coffee and tea bar. Upgrades to registration areas and restrooms are also included in the scope of work.

Tutor Perini Construction and JCJ Architecture are managing the project. The Choctaw Nation estimates the work will take 28 months, placing the completion date in early 2029. During the construction phase, the project is expected to support 1,050 local jobs. The total economic impact during construction is projected at $179 million, with an estimated $53.8 million in payroll.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton stated that the Pocola operation currently employs around 850 people. He described the site as the largest employer in LeFlore County and the second-largest resort in the Choctaw Casinos & Resorts portfolio. Batton noted that the investment was evaluated against regional economic trends, specifically growth in Northwest Arkansas and development at Fort Chaffee.

Batton said the plan was designed to complement rather than duplicate existing tourism assets in the area. He mentioned coordination with Fort Smith officials to ensure the expansion supports the regional economy. Fort Smith Mayor George McGill attended the groundbreaking ceremony. McGill noted that close to half of the casino employees reside in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and he characterized the city's relationship with the Choctaw Nation as a long-standing partnership.