Choctaw Casino Oklahoma Reopening

1. Choctaw Casino Durant Oklahoma Reopening

DURANT, Okla. (KXII) - The Choctaw Casino in Durant is reopening Wednesday after more than two months of being closed.

Choctaw Casino reopening gaming operations, resort this week. (KXII) - The Choctaw Casino in Durant is reopening Wednesday after more than two months of being closed. Choctaw Casino reopened on May 27, 2020. Four Oklahoma tribes announce extension of casino shutdown Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby said Chickasaw leaders continue to monitor data regarding the virus and are working to 'develop a comprehensive plan for a phased reopening of our operations while being mindful of protecting public health.' The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has established its reopening plan. Its casinos, including the popular Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, will be back in business June 1. OKLAHOMA (KFOR) – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby announced this week that the Chickasaw Nation plans to begin implementing a phased reopening of casinos, other businesses and offices soon.

Starting Wednesday at 10 a.m., the casino will be open at reduced capacity.

Seating will also be arranged for social distancing.

'For the first time in our history, those doors were secured,' said Regional Director of Marketing Bryan Prettyman.

There haven't been locks on the doors of the Choctaw Casino in 32 years until March, when they closed due to the pandemic.

'The cleaning started and the preparing for the opening started the day we closed,' Prettyman said.

He said that included markings on the ground to keep people six feet apart, monitors above displaying ways to stay safe and sanitizing stations.

'So we're encouraging the safe social distancing throughout the property,' Prettyman said.

Now, there's reduced restaurant seating, the buffet will be served by employees and no more self serve drinks.

Every other slot machine will be out of service, along with the game tables reduced to three chairs instead of six, only every other table open.

'Probably the biggest is an increased non-smoking area to better accommodate for the health aspect of the pandemic,' he said.

He says the south casino will be entirely smoke free, plus the east and west travel plazas and travel plazas across the Choctaw Nation.

'So that's almost a 50 percent footprint of our facility here will be non-smoking,' Prettyman said.

They'll be closing every morning from 4 to 7 a.m. for deep cleaning.

Masks are optional for guests, but required for employees, who will complete health screenings daily.

'Each one of them has remained on the payroll with full benefits from day one,' he said. 'I am thankful for that and I appreciate that. And I think all the associates here in Durant appreciate it too and are looking forward to coming back to work.'

They're doing a phased reopening. The gaming operation Wednesday is first, and the rest of the resort will open Friday including the hotel, pool and buffet.

The next phase will include all other Choctaw gaming destinations.

Choctaw Casino Durant Oklahoma Reopening

All concerts up until August were cancelled or postponed, and they say events after that will be monitored based on the current health situation.