The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is partnering with Caesar’s Entertainment to open the new Harrah’s Oklahoma Casino in Chandler, the first property in Oklahoma managed by Harrah’s. The projected open date is April 9, and the currently existing Ioway Casino closed in March to make way for the new operation.
Jake Keyes, Chairman of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and owner of Skydance Brewing Company, said the new facility is a substantial upgrade over the previous and differently named Ioway Casino. “I think the name is just a variation based on how some previous generations pronounced the name,” he said. “Our legal name is The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma.”
Keyes said the project has been in the works since 2017, under the leadership of the previous chairman. “The tribe purchased land and put it into a trust while we explored the possibilities, including visiting other Native casinos around the country,” he said. “During that long process, our leadership enjoyed working with Harrah’s, so this emerged from that process.’…