$70 million project includes hotel, RV park, restaurant, larger gaming floor
GUYMON, Okla. – Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes, along with tribal and local leaders and officials with Global Gaming Solutions, LLC (GGS), participated today in the official groundbreaking ceremony for a $70 million expansion of Golden Mesa Casino.
The expansion project will include a recreational vehicle park, a new 100-room hotel and full-service restaurant, and will double the size of the casino gaming floor to include more than 1,000 electronic games. GGS, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, will continue to manage operations of the casino while the Shawnee Tribe maintains ownership.
Golden Mesa Casino, located about two miles southwest of Guymon on U.S. Highway 54, opened in September 2019, creating a new tourism and entertainment destination in the region. When it opened, the casino brought with it 175 jobs and about $4 million in annual payroll. The expansion will increase the size of the casino to 80,000 square feet and increase the daily workforce to roughly 250 employees.
“We are excited to expand our entertainment offerings in the Panhandle and beyond,” Barnes said, “and we’re grateful to be doing so through a meaningful partnership with Global Gaming and the Chickasaw Nation. The rapid growth our tribal nation has undergone just since 2019, and the resources and services we’re now able to provide to our citizens, none of it would have been possible if not for this partnership and the warmth with which the Guymon community has welcomed us out here. I’m thrilled to see the continued fruits of these labors.”
Golden Mesa Casino is the only casino in the Oklahoma Panhandle and attracts visitors from Oklahoma and surrounding states. The casino currently features about 600 electronic games, six table games, a restaurant, bar and retail shop.
“We are pleased to be part of this collaborative effort with the Shawnee Tribe, the city of Guymon, and Texas County to bring the Golden Mesa project to fruition,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. “We believe this project will increase tourism, enhance local business growth and improve employment opportunities. Today, we salute the leadership of the city of Guymon, Texas County, the Shawnee Tribe and the citizens of the Oklahoma Panhandle for working together to bring economic benefits, new jobs, and entertainment diversity to this region.”
During the construction phase, about 500 unique workers will contribute to the project, with a maximum daily workforce of between 200 and 250 employees on site. Flintco, LLC in Oklahoma City will lead construction efforts on the RV park, hotel and casino floor expansion. The project is expected to be completed by spring 2025.
“Our local partners in Guymon have been crucial to laying the groundwork for this expansion,” said Chris Floyd, President of Shawnee Development. “It’s been a pleasure watching Golden Mesa grow in this community, and we’re excited to see the impact of this phase of growth will be able to make on Texas County and the surrounding areas.”
The casino will remain open during the expansion project, officials said.
“We have enjoyed working with the Shawnee Tribe, local leaders and the hard-working citizens of the Oklahoma Panhandle, who have welcomed us to the community and partnered with us in this project,” Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren said. “We believe Golden Mesa has delivered economic diversification and enhanced tourism opportunities to this region and we expect the expansion of the casino, as well as the addition of the RV park and hotel, will increase the opportunities and the positive impact in the area.”
About the Shawnee Tribe & Shawnee Development
The Shawnee Tribe is a sovereign nation of more than 4,000 citizens living across North America and abroad. Tribal headquarters are located in Miami, Okla. Shawnee Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Shawnee Tribe with a mission to create a diverse and sustainable economy by pursuing and investing in ethically profitable business for the long-term benefit of the Shawnee people. For more information, visit shawnee-nsn.gov.
About Golden Mesa Casino
Golden Mesa Casino offers 600 electronic games, table games and a restaurant and bar in the 40,000-square-foot facility. Located 2.5 miles southwest of Guymon, Okla., in Texas County, Golden Mesa Casino presents unrivaled gaming action 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information visit our website at goldenmesa.com.
About Global Gaming Solutions
Global Gaming Solutions, LLC (GGS), is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation with a primary business focus of pursuing entertainment, gaming and racing-related opportunities in emerging jurisdictions in the United States and overseas as well as acquisition of regional gaming and entertainment assets.
ONE CITIZEN’S JOURNEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOWNERSHIP Shawnee tribal citizen Michael Cedrone lives in Texas, where he works as Head of Human Resources at GBC Food Services. Cedrone attributes his success to the tribe’s educational, career and housing support programs. His professional journey began at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, TX, […]
During General Council weekend (September 20-21), the Shawnee Tribe hosted Firaxis Games’ Pete Murray (Learning & Development Manager) and Lead Producer Andrew Frederiksen, developers of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, due to be released next February. Murray and Frederiksen kicked off their Shawnee visit with attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika […]
Messages from the Chiefs – Fall 2024: It’s a US Election Day! Chief Barnes highlights the importance of voting in every election, local to federal, and Chief Baldridge reflects on the earliest days of his service on the Business Council compared to where we are today.
Shawnee language classes will resume for the 2025 calendar year on Monday, January 6! Self-paced learners and those hoping to participate in live classes should contact the Shawnee Language Immersion Program team (SLIP) to begin enrollment. SLIP will work with each individual student to place them in the appropriate course(s) based on their learning preferences […]
On Friday, September 20, tribal citizens and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Shawnee Tribe’s newest facility and cultural resource—the Emma “Mock” Donaldson saawanwaatoweewika (Shawnee language house). A little more than ten minutes east of central Miami, OK, the facility boasts a large, open gathering space with high ceilings and a […]
On October 15, the Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine and his wife, First Lady Frances “Fran” DeWine traveled to Miami, OK to visit with various Shawnee Tribal programs and leadership. “We were honored to receive Governor DeWine and his wife at our Shawnee language house, Cultural Center, and Administrative offices,” said Chief Ben Barnes. “We […]
In September, the Shawnee Tribe’s Gaming Commission staff received safety training from City of Guymon professionals including; Fire Marshall Jason Bond, Fire Chief Scott Lathrop, 911 Director Justin Carnagey, and Police Sergeant Jacob Bankston. “It was a very productive training day and was well received by the Gaming Commission staff,” said Otis Hughs, Executive Director […]
GILA RIVER, Ariz.—Chief Ben Barnes attended today’s event on the reservation of the Gila River Indian Community, where President Joe Biden delivered a historic speech and a formal presidential apology for 150 years of federal Indian boarding school policies which he called “a shame” and “a blot on American history.” “I’m delighted that President Biden’s […]