Best Casinos In Oklahoma
Over the last 20 years, gambling in Oklahoma has exploded. When I was a teenager, you could go to Oklahoma to play bingo. It was a big deal for a lot of the older people around here.
Try your luck at some of the best Oklahoma Casinos. Stay & play at one of 3495 casino hotels in Oklahoma and let the games begin. 2021's top casinos in Northeast Oklahoma - Green Country include River Spirit Casino Resort, Downstream Casino Resort + Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Add these and more to your travel plan. Casino Quapaw Trip planner BEST FOR: Casino, Landmark Miami Trip planner BEST FOR: Casino. Best Casinos in Oklahoma City, OK. Sort: Recommended. Sponsored Results. Riverwind Casino. Casinos, Hotels (405) 322-6000. 1544 W State Hwy 9 “My husband and I drive just about 2 hours to stay Friday through Sunday at least once a. 1) WinStar World & Casino Resort – Thackerville: 519,000 square feet of casino space. It’s by far the largest casino in Oklahoma. In fact, it’s the second biggest one in.
But the tribes running the bingo halls eventually got into the business of running casinos, too. Now Oklahoma is the 2nd biggest casino destination in the United States, right after Nevada. In fact, Oklahoma is home to at least 134 casinos. That’s not even close to the 334 or so casinos in Nevada, but it’s closer than any other state gets.
If you live in one of the states bordering Oklahoma—especially Texas—Oklahoma is probably your gambling destination of choice just based on proximity. This post aims to serve as a guide to gambling in the state of Oklahoma. I’ve included information about the casinos there and answers to the most commonly asked question about them.
It’s impossible to be comprehensive in a blog post on this subject, especially when the subject includes 134 different properties. But if you want to find out, even more, don’t forget to check our complete Oklahoma gambling guide page.
Also, I live in Texas and gamble in Oklahoma, so much of what I’m writing is from personal experience. It’s not just stuff I researched using other websites. That always adds to the usability and expertise of a page, in my experience.
The Top 10 Oklahoma Casinos
Here’s a list of the top 10 casinos in Oklahoma. They’re listed in alphabetical order rather than in order of rating, but this is a selective list—the best casinos out of the 134 casinos in the state:
Buffalo Run Casino
This property is located in Miami, Oklahoma and has over 900 gambling machines to choose from. They also offer blackjack, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Holdem. They also have 4 restaurants and a snack bar. One of the biggest perks at Buffalo Run Casino is that you don’t have to pay that silly ante, but you’re required to use your players’ card to be exempt from the ante requirement.
Still, compared to the casinos that require an ante, that’s one of the best deals in Oklahoma gambling. Buffalo Run Casino is owned and operated by the Peoria Tribe. The hotel is relatively small, with only 100 guest rooms.
Cherokee Casino
There are actually several Cherokee Casinos in Oklahoma, but the one that made this list is the one in Roland. It’s right near the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. They have over 800 gambling machines, but they also have a small poker room with 5 poker tables.
They have table games, too, like blackjack, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Holdem. There are only 2 restaurants on site—a buffet and a fast food place that’s open 24 hours. The Lee Creek Tavern hosts live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. The hotel has 120 rooms.
Choctaw Casino
This is the 2nd largest casino in Oklahoma, 2nd only to the Winstar in Thackerville. Choctaw Casino is in Durant. The casino has 110,000 square feet of gaming, over 4500 slot machines, and almost 40 table games, including blackjack, Let It Ride, mini baccarat, pai gow poker, roulette, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Holdem.
Choctaw has 8 restaurants on site, 330 hotel rooms, and an attached rv park with room for 75 rvs. The poker room action here is excellent.
Downstream Casino Resort
Downstream is located at the border to Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. They have 70,000 square feet of gaming space, over 2000 slot machines, and 30 table games, including blackjack and Ultimate Texas Holdem, among others. They also have an active poker room with 14 tables. There are 5 restaurants on site, and the property has 330 hotel rooms available.
Grand Casino Hotel Resort
The Grand Casino Hotel Resort has over 2000 slot machines to choose from as well as several table games, including blackjack, craps, and Ultimate Texas Holdem. They have 8 restaurants on site, including a sushi bar and Subway. The hotel has 262 rooms.
Hard Rock Casino
Open since 2009, this is the same brand that it sounds like. It’s a large casino with 147,000 square feet of gaming space and over 2600 slot machines. The Hard Rock offers table games and a poker room. Roughly half a dozen restaurants on site include Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grill. The casino has over 450 rooms. The Hard Rock Casino is located in Tulsa.
Indigo Sky Casino
Open since 2012, Indigo Sky Casino in Wyandotte is one of the newest casinos on this list. It has 244 rooms, and a lot of games—1270 slots and 12 table games. The table games include multiple variations of blackjack and several house-banked poker variations.
They also have a 520 seat bingo hall on site. There are 2 restaurants and a food court. The poker room is small (8 tables) but active.
River Spirit Casino
Another property located in Tulsa, the River Spirit Casino recently (in 2016) became home to Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant. They have 200,000 square feet of gaming space, making them one of the biggest casinos in the state, too.
They have a large table game selection that includes craps on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re not allowed to use dice, though, so the action is determined using playing cards. The poker room has 15 tables, and the hotel has 483 guest rooms.
Riverwind Casino
Located in Norman, Oklahoma, the Riverwind Casino is huge, with 219,000 square feet of gaming space and 2800 slot machine games. They also offer 20 table games. The poker room is unusual for Oklahoma, though—it’s not open 24 hours.
It closes at 3:30am on the week nights and 4:30am on the weekends. The poker room opens at 9am every morning. They have a buffet restaurant and several fast food restaurants in the food court.
Winstar Casino
Most people are surprised to learn that the largest casino in the United States is located in Thackerville, Oklahoma, but that’s the simple truth. The Winstar World has over 500,000 square feet of gaming space. The restaurants there are excellent, and the poker room is huge and there’s plenty of action any time of day.
They have world-class entertainment every weekend. Other than the silly and expensive “ante” they charge on the table games, the gambling here is probably as varied and as exciting as you’ll find in Vegas. The odds just aren’t as good. If you can only visit one Oklahoma casino, though, the Winstar is probably the one to visit.
Is It Legal to Gamble in Oklahoma?
Yes, it’s legal to gamble at casinos in Oklahoma, but they’re all Native American casinos. The state and the tribes have some pretty specific restrictions about what kind of gambling is legal there, too. Most of the gambling in Oklahoma is done on slot machines.
More recently, card games have become legalized and regulated. The poker scene in the state is thriving. The casinos also offer games like blackjack and Three Card Poker.
Roulette wheels and dice are not allowed, but the casinos there get around this by using playing cards to determine their results. The odds and probabilities are the same.
Sports betting isn’t legal in Oklahoma, yet, but that could change quickly in light of the recent Supreme Court decision overturning PASPA.
Is It Legal to Gamble ONLINE in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is not one of the states where online casino gambling has been legalized and regulated. That being said, you can play at offshore casinos from within the borders of Oklahoma if that’s what you want to do. That’s a lot of hassle when you probably live close to a real, traditional casino.
The legality of operating an online casino that caters to Oklahoma gamblers is problematic at best. I don’t recommend opening an internet casino targeting that market. It would be hard to imagine a player being arrested or prosecuted for playing slots online for money, though.
Where Can You Gamble in Oklahoma if You’re Only 18?
In Oklahoma, you can gamble in a casino if you’re 18, but not all the casinos allow 18-year olds to gamble. Some of the casinos require you to be at least 21 years old.
As far as I know, there is no reputable, accurate list of casinos organized by category. The easiest thing to do is look at which casino is nearest you and check their website for their age requirements. If you can’t find the information on their website, just call them and ask the person who answers the phone.
What Is the Biggest Casino in the State of Oklahoma?
The biggest casino in Oklahoma is also the biggest casino in the United States. In fact, it’s the 2nd biggest casino in the entire world.
It’s the Winstar World & Casino Resort. It’s been open since 2004, and it shows no signs of slowing down its growth. I can remember, in fact, when it wasn’t even a permanent structure.
It looked like a collection of large—REALLY large—tents. Thackerville isn’t exactly a thriving metropolis, either. So it seems bigger than it is in comparison to the small town where it’s located.
The Winstar has over 500,000 square feet of gaming area.
The 2nd biggest casino in Oklahoma is Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant. It has over 200,000 square feet of gaming area. The Choctaw tribe owns 8 casinos in Oklahoma, but the one in Durant is the big one.
I like playing poker there, but I haven’t visited in a couple of years. I live in Denton, so it’s just easier and cheaper to visit the Winstar, which is only a half-hour drive.
The Riverwind Casino is about the same size as Choctaw, so it’s tied for 2nd place. It also has about 200,000 square feet of gaming area.
The Riverwind is located in Norman, Oklahoma, which used to be known for its abundance of call centers. (It still might be a hub for the industry, but I’m not sure. I haven’t been in that business since the 1990s.)
The other big casinos in Oklahoma, in rough order of size, include:
- River Spirit Casino in Tulsa
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa
- Cherokee Casino in Roland
- Grand Casino Hotel Resort in Shawnee
- Newcastle Casino in Newcastle
- Downstream Casino Resort in Quapaw
- Buffalo Run Casino & Resort in Miami
How Many Indian Casinos Are There in Oklahoma?
All the casinos in Oklahoma are “Indian casinos.” The state is home to 134 casinos. That’s more than any other state besides Nevada, which is home to 334 casinos.
One would hope that a state with that many casinos would have rules and game conditions comparable to what you’d find in Nevada, but that’s not the case.
The tribal casinos in Oklahoma aren’t required to post their payback percentages on their slot machines, but anyone who’s played in a Vegas casino can tell the difference in paybacks in less than an hour.
The table games are fun, but they charge a fee—they call it an “ante,” but it’s a fee—per hand at most casinos. I don’t know of any Oklahoma casinos which don’t charge this fee. The effect of this fee on the bottom line for the games is atrocious for the player from a mathematical perspective.
The house edge on a blackjack game with a $5/hand minimum in Las Vegas might be about 1%, assuming you play with perfect basics strategy.
Play the same game with the same rules in Oklahoma with their 50 cent fee per hand, and the house edge jumps to 10%.
That’s the difference between losing $2.50/hour on blackjack and losing $25/hour on blackjack.
Do Indian Casinos in Oklahoma Have to Pay Taxes?
The Indian Casinos in Oklahoma operate under a legal agreement with the state called a “compact.” Part of that agreement is a fee of between 4% and 6% on adjusted gross revenue that must be paid to the state. This is, in effect, a tax.
The casinos use this as an excuse to charge an “ante” at their table games. It’s really just an arbitrary fee, and contrary to the claims made by the staff and management at the casino, they’re not required to charge it. They just use the 5% as a number that coincides with the amount of the fees they charge.
Last year, the casinos paid the state almost $134 million in fees. That’s a dramatic increase since 2006, when they only generated $14 million for the state. The industry in Oklahoma really has grown that much.
Another reason for this increase is the larger number of Class III slot machines in use throughout the state’s casinos. Under the terms of their compact, Oklahoma casinos don’t have to pay fees on Class II slot machines, but they do pay fees on revenue generated from their Class III slots.
Conclusion
If you live near Oklahoma, it’s probably worth your while to visit the casinos there. They offer a huge variety of slot machines at almost all the properties in the state. Many Oklahoma casinos offer restaurants, bars, and entertainment that compares favorably with what’s available in Nevada, too.
The poker games in Oklahoma are excellent, by the way. The players are often loose and passive, especially at the lower stakes tables. You’ll find plenty of action and tournaments in any cardroom in the state, too, especially if you like Texas Holdem.
The casino games, on the other hand, don’t compare favorably with most of the casinos in Nevada. The house edge on the table games is especially high, largely because of the so-called “ante” that the casinos charge.
They’re still a better deal than the slot machines, which are tighter than I expected. But they don’t come close to being competitive with what you’d find in Vegas.
Look for the gambling scene in Oklahoma to continue to grow and change over time. As the landscape becomes more competitive, the games are bound to improve, too.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Oklahoma, home to some of the largest casinos in the world, is the ultimate gaming destination for all the gamblers. A vast selection of more than 71,000 slot machines as well as video poker machines in the state is enough to add fun to your trip. It is said that there are around 100 Oklahoma casinos that offer 4,600 bingo seats. With so much to explore, you can visit WinStar World Casino for all the popular entertainment or Newcastle Casino for its rustic charm. No matter what your game is, this list of casinos in Oklahoma will guide you to the best bet.
1. WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville
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WinStar World Casino and Resort, with its huge 600,000 square feet of space, has become one of the largest casinos in the world.
This American tribal casino is located in Thackerville and is known to be one of the most popular casinos in Oklahoma near Texas. Its mile-long floor houses nine globally-themed gaming plazas where 24/7 gaming action is guaranteed. Its array of amenities includes more than 8,400 electronic games, 100 total table games, a 55-table poker room, a high limit room, bingo, keno, and Racer's off-track betting.
Proud to offer the world’s largest collection of games, WinStar World Casino is the perfect destination to place your bet!
2. Choctaw Casino & Resort, Durant
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Even though Choctaw has eight Indian casinos and hotels, its property at Durant is one of the largest casinos in Oklahoma.
It is located only an hour away from Dallas and also attracts many from Texas. When a casino like this offers more than 4,200 slot machines along with 65 gaming tables, a 26-table poker room, and a High Limits Salon, you can spend an entire day here. You will also find several dining options, bars, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, spa facilities, and different entertainment venues under one roof.
Choctaw Casino & Resort ensures you will get action-packed tables no matter when you are visiting this property.
3. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa
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Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is located in Catoosa, only a short drive away from the center of Tulsa.
Hard Rock Casino was opened in 2009 and soon became one of the top Oklahoma casinos. Over 2,600 popular electronic games, 40 table games, and a well-equipped poker room with 12 tables cater to thousands of visitors every year. Its 125,000 square feet of casino floor space has everything a player would need. Combining fine-dining and casual dining, this hotel premises also takes care of your taste buds.
All in all, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa is that ultimate destination where you can soak in the gaming excitement to the fullest.
4. River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa
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River Spirit Casino Resort is known for its luxurious 27-story hotel tower and recently opened Margaritaville Casino.
Proud to have one of the largest gaming floors in Oklahoma, this casino space is all about state-of-the-art electronic games. If you are interested in table games, then a game of Craps, Blackjack, Roulette along with everyone’s favorites like Bad Beat Mini-Baccarat and Free Bet Blackjack await you. It also has a dedicated gaming area for non-smoking guests making everyone equally comfortable.
River Spirit Casino Resort is undoubtedly a players’ paradise with its action-packed poker and its 3,100 games.
5. Remington Park, Oklahoma City
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Remington Park is a place perfect for all gaming enthusiasts. It is one of the few places to combine a horse racing track and a casino on one premise.
A place that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week is enough to keep you engaged throughout your vacation. It is also one of the few casinos in Oklahoma that are open every day. Visit Remington Park to enjoy 750 slot machines or take a benefit of its off-track betting. And after you are done with all the bets, do not forget to stop by Bricktown Brewery.
6. Indigo Sky Casino & Hotel, Wyandotte
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Be it a relaxing stay or exciting games, Indigo Sky Casino & Hotel located near the town of Wyandotte is the place to be!
You can be a first-timer or someone who loves poker tournaments, this casino has something for every type of player. The main highlight is a variety of table games that are operational 24/7 and are free. The classic pit games add fun to all the sessions. Do not forget to get your daubers ready as Bingo is also set to return to Indigo Sky Casino!
This is your chance to get a thrill out of 45,000 square feet of space that is packed with all the entertainment options.
7. Riverwind Casino, Norman
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Riverwind Casino boasts to be the best place for poker enthusiasts and is proud to be voted on top of Oklahoma’s casinos.
Play the Mega Frenzy Bingo when you’re here as it has become the identity of this casino. The table games pit is the place where you can get in action and Racer’s OTB is where you can watch the action happening on the tracks. Riverwind Casino also goes beyond gaming with its dining and entertainment options.
So, go all in during your visit to Riverwind Casino and master the art of winning at these acclaimed venues.
8. The Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa, Sulphur
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When you visit The Artesian, get ready to experience it all - from gaming to pampering yourself to your heart’s content, this is the place for everything.
It may offer only three classic tables, but it compensates its size with more than 300 of the most popular electronic games. The best part of this place is that it’s open 24 hours! The vintage elegance and royal grandeur of this property make sure that you get to be part of its opulent canvas even when you are busy playing. No doubt it is one of the popular casinos in Oklahoma.
Other amenities like a spa, swimming pool, and a fitness center will help you make the most of your Oklahoma vacation.
9. Osage Casino, Tulsa
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Osage Casino in Tulsa is popular for offering a world-class gaming experience combined with a plethora of entertainment options to choose from.
No matter what your game is, Osage Casino has got you covered. Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, and table games - this is where you can get a taste of bigger stakes. You can take your playing and of course, winning up a notch when visiting Osage. It has 7 different venues in the state, but the one at Tulsa ranks on top of the list of casinos in Oklahoma.
10. 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel, Newkirk
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7 Clans First Council Casino is considered to be one of the finest gaming venues in Northwest Oklahoma.
As it is located on the Kansas/Oklahoma border, it attracts more gamblers from both sides. Along with the largest Bingo venue, it also houses live Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold'em and Three Card Poker. The 1,200 electronic gaming machines and more than 15 table games will give you a chance to make the best of your time here.
So, when you are looking for gaming thrills, 7 Clans First Council Casino should be on top of your list.
11. Newcastle Casino, Newcastle
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Newcastle Casino, with its on-site restaurant and a sports bar, is one of the top entertainment venues where gaming and dining are combined.
It was opened in 1998 and has successfully maintained its rustic charm over the years. You can try your luck at electronic games and try your hand at 14 table games that include classics like 3-Card Poker, Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, and Ultimate Texas Hold'Em. With off-track betting and Mega Frenzy Bingo, Newcastle Casino ensures you have different options to play.
So, if you are visiting this popular Oklahoma casino, you are bound to have some fun.
12. Apache Casino Hotel, Lawton
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Apache Casino Hotel attracts thousands of visitors with its big jackpots along with new video slots and video poker games.
All the latest slot machines are available here. Live Dice Craps and Live Ball Roulette have become the highlight of table games. Apache Casino in Lawton is the best place to take a spin on our classic reel games. All you have to do is add this place to your Oklahoma itinerary and go for a spin.
13. Border Casino, Thackerville
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Border Casino in Thackerville is one of the smaller Oklahoma casinos that are open 24 hours a day.
Its 88,000 square feet of the gaming floor is revamped recently and now houses over 2,300 electronic games. The newly-added Mega Frenzy Bingo, a guaranteed progressive jackpot winner, is an exciting game to play. When you are looking for non-stop entertainment, Border Casino is the place you should head off to!
Riverwind Casino In Oklahoma
14. Buffalo Run Casino & Resort
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If you are wondering what a lesser-known place like Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has to offer, then you are in for a surprise!
A casino that promotes responsible gambling, has numerous options for every type of player. Along with live-entertainment and electronic games, live table games that are operational 24/7 are available here. All the favorites like 8-deck, double deck, and single deck blackjack, ultimate Texas hold’em and crazy4card poker are here for you!
Best Casino Spa In Oklahoma
15. Downstream Casino Resort, Quapaw
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Downstream Casino Resort is one of the top casinos in Oklahoma that is proud to present the newest slots and latest table games under one roof.
This casino promotes itself as the place where a feeling of winning is redefined. It is operated by the Quapaw Nation of Oklahoma and incorporates the rich history of the Quapaw culture. When you are done with all the gaming, you can pamper yourself at the spa or take a dip in one of the swimming pools.
Best Casino Hotels In Oklahoma
Keep in mind that you need to be at least 18 years old to gamble in casinos in Oklahoma. With so many excellent casinos in Oklahoma, it’s time to deal you in!