Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Lucky Star Casino Watonga Hotel & Convention Center

Published May 7, 2019

WATONGA, Okla. After many years of discussion, planning and hard work, today, Wednesday, May 3, 2019, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lucky Star Casino Watonga Hotel & Convention Center was held in Watonga, OK.  This is the first hotel for the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes.

“Today was an exciting day for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes as well as for the community of Watonga,” Governor Reggie Wassana said. “The new expansion will greatly benefit and enhance the community for gaming and future development that includes a 80 room hotel, restaurant, bar and conference center that should attract many players, visitors and help spur economic development in the local area.”

This $25 million hotel, casino and conference center as part of an extensive expansion of the Watonga Lucky Star Casino location.

Lucky Star Casinos CEO Charlie Welbourne, Lucky Star Casinos CFO Stephanie Black, Gov. Reggie Wassana and Lucky Star Casinos COO Andy Rednose

This legacy project includes the addition of a five-story hotel comprised of 80 guest rooms, a hospitality suite, full-service restaurant, a 300-person capacity conference center, retail space, and a gaming floor with accommodations for 400 slot machines. This iconic build will be a “Castle on the Prairie” representing the spirit of the project and cultures of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes. The estimated completion is approximately 18 months with a grand opening slated for the summer of 2020.

Special features include:

●        Front entrance canopy inspired by the tipis of the Cheyenne & Arapaho seal

●        Main entrance lobby incorporating stylized tipi with sculptural ceiling element resembling fire and smoke

●        Buffalo concept will be a prominent tribute piece throughout the project to convey the tribes’ reverence and reliance on this sacred animal

●        Casino ceilings represent views to night sky

●        Photographs of tribal members and the Cheyenne and Arapaho cultures will be a portal into the Tribe’s history

●        Hotel’s carpet concept is a tribute to a herd of buffalo

●        Traditional colors and patterns utilized throughout the interior design