Lucky Star Casino Resort Breaks Ground in Elk City, Expanding Video Poker Options in Western Oklahoma

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 24, 2026, for a new Lucky Star Casino resort in Elk City, Oklahoma. The four-phase project will replace the tribe’s smaller convenience-style casino in the area with a full-service destination that includes a 56,000-square-foot casino floor, a 100-room hotel, and multiple dining options. For video poker players traveling through western Oklahoma or visiting the region, the development represents a significant expansion of available gaming capacity.

The first phase is the immediate construction priority. Earthwork and site preparation are already underway, and the tribes expect construction to continue through 2026 and 2027. No specific opening date has been announced. The casino will house 750 gaming machines, a substantial increase from the previous Elk City location. While the exact mix of machines has not been disclosed, tribal casinos in Oklahoma typically devote a sizable portion of their floor to video poker, including popular variants such as Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus Poker. The resort’s “modernized selection of games,” as described in project materials, suggests that video poker players will find updated cabinets and a range of denominations.

The hotel component includes 100 guest rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a fitness center. Dining options planned for the first phase include a food court and a steakhouse. The property is located on South Eastern Avenue, south of Interstate 40 near Walmart and Hobby Lobby, placing it on a major travel corridor used by regional visitors and commercial drivers. The location gives the resort access to drive-in traffic from the interstate and positions it as a convenient stop for video poker players on road trips.

A multi-phase destination

Beyond the initial casino and hotel, the tribes have outlined three additional phases that will broaden the resort’s appeal. Phase two calls for a convention center, a family entertainment arcade, and an outdoor swimming pool. The convention center could attract organized events and meetings, potentially bringing new visitors to the area. Phase three focuses on travelers: a full-service convenience store and a dedicated truckers lounge with supporting facilities. Phase four introduces an RV park, catering to guests who prefer longer stays or travel in recreational vehicles. Together, these phases would create a property that serves not only casino patrons but also highway travelers and event attendees.

The development schedule places the later phases after the opening of the casino and hotel. Exact construction dates for phases two through four have not been disclosed. The tribes have described the Elk City project as their “most aggressive project to date.”

Key facts

Significance for video poker players

The 750-machine floor at the new Lucky Star Casino will be one of the larger gaming floors in the region. For comparison, many standalone tribal casinos in Oklahoma operate between 300 and 500 machines. The increase in capacity means more room for a diverse game selection, including video poker. The property’s participation in the Lucky Star Rewards loyalty program also gives regular players a way to earn comps and benefits across the tribe’s other locations, including casinos in Canton, Clinton, Concho, Hammon, and Watonga.

The addition of a hotel on-site is a practical advantage for video poker players who want to spend extended sessions without worrying about driving back to their lodging. The planned pool and fitness center add amenities that make an overnight stay more appealing. The later phases, especially the RV park, will further cater to players who travel with their own accommodations.

The resort’s location along I-40 places it on a route used by many tourists and truck drivers crossing the southern United States. Video poker players driving between the East Coast and the Southwest will now have a dedicated stop with a large gaming floor, a hotel, and future travel amenities. The project materials cite limited nearby casino competition as a factor supporting the site, which suggests that the tribes expect to draw customers from a broad geographic area.

What to watch for

No investment costs or firm opening dates have been announced for any phase. The most immediate question for video poker players is the machine mix: whether the floor will include a strong selection of full-pay video poker games or lean more toward slot-style machines. Oklahoma tribal casinos are not required to disclose pay tables publicly, so players will need to wait for the casino to open and report findings from the floor.

The later phases—convention center, arcade, convenience store, truckers lounge, and RV park—are still in the planning stage. Their construction timelines depend on the success of the first phase and on broader economic conditions. For now, the focus remains on the casino and hotel, which are expected to open sometime in 2027.

Source: World Casino Directory News – “Elk City Lucky Star Casino Resort Breaks Ground in Oklahoma” – https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/elk-city-lucky-star-casino-resort-breaks-ground-in-oklahoma-123710