The first slot machine was ceremoniously installed at the soon-to-open Harrah’s Oklahoma Casino just outside Chandler.
A plaque was fixed to the machine before it was wheeled up a red carpet and taken inside the casino at the event led by Joe Scibetta, senior vice president and general manager at Harrah’s. The casino is a collaboration with the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and Caesars Entertainment.
“Today may be about the arrival of slot machines, but it represents something much bigger. This is the beginning of a new standard in the gaming industry in Oklahoma. Caesars Entertainment’s first casino property in Oklahoma will bring in exceptional gaming, hospitality and entertainment products to the market,” the GM said.
He added that the heart of the project is the 325 jobs that the casino is bringing to the community. More job fairs are set to take place before the opening, with the next on Jan. 30. That fair is exclusively for veterans.
“We wanted to focus on veterans because we believe the veterans that served our country deserve the first opportunity to come work for us,” Scibetta said. “And also… we’re working with members of the administration to get more tribal members to come in, apply, and become part of Harrah’s Oklahoma.”
This is the first tribal collaboration that Ceasars has done in the state. The casino will be part of the Caesars Rewards program, meaning visitors can play here and then use their points at any of the over 50 Caesars Entertainment venues around the U.S.
Iowa Tribe Chairman Jacob Keyes expressed how proud he is to be at this moment, which was a long time coming.
“And now, in retrospect, it seems so small.
And I can just tell you that this property, this casino, this isn’t the apex. This is just the beginning,” he said. “This is the beginning of some great things coming for our people, for our tribe, for this community, for the surrounding communities, for Oklahoma, to be the first Caesars product, the first Harrahs casino in Oklahoma.”
The casino is set to open in Spring 2026, but design work is already underway on Phase Two, which is an attached hotel. Keyes said they were currently a year head on the planning for that. He also said they are working on a site plan that will include projects for the next 20 years.
The casino will have slot machines and table games, as well as a high roller room. There will be two bars, a restaurant, and a grab-and-go eatery.