In the small town of Thackerville, Oklahoma, located just across the border from Texas, a boom in tourism and economic development has been sparked by the opening of the new casino resort, bringing even more people to this once-sleepy community.
Thackerville, nestled in the rolling hills of southern Oklahoma, has long been a quiet rural town with a population of just over 500 residents. But over the past decade, the town has seen a remarkable transformation thanks to the influx of visitors drawn in by the WinStar World Casino and Resort.
The casino, which opened in 2003, quickly became a popular destination for Texans looking for a nearby getaway. With its sprawling gaming floor, luxury hotel accommodations, world-class entertainment venues, and diverse dining options, WinStar has become a premier entertainment destination in the region.
As a result, Thackerville has seen a surge in tourism and business development. New hotels, restaurants, and shops have popped up around the casino, catering to the thousands of visitors who flock to the area each year. The local economy has boomed, with new jobs created and a steady stream of revenue flowing into the town.
But the growth didn’t stop there. In December 2021, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma opened the doors to their newest venture, the Red River Valley Casino and Resort, just a few miles down the road from WinStar. The new casino boasts a 300-room hotel, a variety of gaming options, dining venues, and a state-of-the-art entertainment complex.
The opening of Red River Valley has only further solidified Thackerville’s status as a hub for entertainment and tourism in the region. The casino resort has attracted even more visitors to the area, eager to experience the excitement and luxury of this new destination.
Local residents are thrilled with the influx of visitors and the economic opportunities that have come with it. Many have found employment at the casinos or in the new businesses that have opened in the area. The town has seen a revitalization, with infrastructure improvements, new housing developments, and a renewed sense of community pride.
As Thackerville continues to grow and thrive, the future looks bright for this Oklahoma town that North Texas tourism built. With two world-class casino resorts drawing in visitors from near and far, Thackerville has become a destination in its own right, offering entertainment, dining, and accommodations that rival those of much larger cities. And with the ongoing support of the local community and the booming tourism industry, the sky’s the limit for this once-sleepy town on the Texas-Oklahoma border.
