UKB Seeks to Reopen Casino in Tahlequah, Submits Gaming Compact for Federal Approval
By Cherokee 411 Staff
Cherokee411.com
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians has taken a major step toward reopening its long-shuttered casino by submitting a tribal gaming compact to the U.S. Department of the Interior for approval.
The compact, based on Oklahoma’s 2004 Model Tribal Gaming Compact, outlines the legal terms under which the UKB would operate Class III gaming on its trust land in Tahlequah. The move follows the National Indian Gaming Commission’s approval of the tribe’s updated 2025 Tribal Gaming Code, setting the stage for the UKB to resume gaming activities more than a decade after its casino closed due to legal disputes.
In a statement, UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche called the submission a “historic turning point” for the tribe.
“Gaming is not just about business. It’s about restoring self-determination, creating jobs, and building prosperity for our tribal members,” Wacoche said.
The UKB previously operated a casino in Tahlequah, but it was shut down in 2013 following legal challenges from the Cherokee Nation, which claimed exclusive jurisdiction over the reservation area. However, a January 2025 memorandum from the U.S. Department of the Interior recognized the UKB as an equal successor to the Cherokee reservation, a ruling that significantly bolstered the tribe’s legal footing.
The Cherokee Nation has voiced opposition to the UKB’s efforts to relaunch gaming operations, citing concerns over jurisdiction and land status. Nonetheless, UKB officials argue that their trust land is legally distinct and eligible for gaming under federal law.
Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Department of the Interior has 45 days to act on the compact. If no action is taken, the compact will automatically go into effect.
If approved, the new UKB casino could provide a significant economic boost for the tribe, creating jobs and generating revenue for healthcare, education, and housing programs.
