Indian casino attracting Texans

Monday, July 29, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.

KINGSTON, Okla. -- A new Indian gaming center near Lake Texoma has become a popular attraction for Texans.

The Chickasaw Nation opened the Texoma Gaming Center on July 11 less than two miles east of Kingston.

The gaming center is made up of several portable buildings containing about 350 electronic gambling machines, Police Chief John Canoe said.

But the tribe has started the dirt work to build a large casino on the property, said Canoe, who has been working at the gaming center on weekends to provide security.

"It stays busy," Canoe said. "Lots of folks come in from Texas."

The Chickasaw Nation plans to build a casino, boat storage facility, convenience store and bait shop in the area, tribal spokesman Tony Choate said. The casino should be finished in six to nine months, he said.

Choate said plans are still being developed for commercial development near Lake Texoma. Canoe said a tribal official told him that there are plans for a hotel.

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