Osage Nation Gets Federally Approved For 2 New Casinos

The Osage Nation said it’s received federal approval to build two new casinos after waiting several years.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs said it approved the new projects in both Bartlesville and Pawhuska.

They said the Osage Nation filed a trust application to build the proposed Bartlesville casino in 2014 followed by Pawhuska in 2016.

Osage Principal Chief Geoffrey Bear said he believes the new casinos will help boost the region’s economic recovery during the pandemic.

The bureau said the new Bartlesville casino will be located on U.S. Highway 60 just west of town and would include 150 hotel rooms and nearly 12,000 square-feet of meeting space.

The existing Pawhuska casino would move to the new property, which is also along Highway 60. They said the plan is to eventually replace it with a brand new casino and hotel.