Cherokee Casino Ramona Partnering With the Community
Cherokee Casino Ramona is only a few weeks away, now, from opening its doors to Washington County and beyond.
Operations Manager Chris Province and Heather Griffin, CNB manager of government relations, have been working for months on establishing relationships with locals in that community.
“When you have personal relationships with people in the community, it not only provides our business sustainability, but allows us to become a partner with the people there, instead of just ‘another casino,’” Province said. “We work hard at that.”
Part of establishing relationships is simply to get out into the public, meet and talk with local organizations, city governments, Chambers of Commerce and tourism and travel boards. Province and Griffin both work hard to ensure CNE and CNB are seen as a partner in the community.
One thing that’s helped, Griffin said, is that the Cherokee Nation is already well-established in the area.
“It’s been very welcoming,” Griffin said. “We’ve had relationships with Washington County for a long time. We have facilities in the county and tribal councilor Brad Cobb is from the Bartlesville area.”
Still, CNE wants to strengthen the already tight bonds in the area. One such example is with the city of Ramona. The drive from Tulsa to Bartlesville on Hwy. 75 has no signs even indicating when a traveler has arrived in Ramona. Cherokee Casino Ramona is helping change that.
“It’s twofold,” Province said. “When you go into Ramona, we hope to have a sign that reads ‘Welcome to Ramona and Cherokee Casino’ or ‘Welcome to Ramona, Home of Cherokee Casino.’ Not only are we helping the community by making travelers aware of the city, but we’re also helping create a market for our business.”
Ultimately, Province said, the goal of Cherokee Casino Ramona in the community is to be known not only as a partner in name, but by deed, taking an active role in giving back to and developing the area as a whole.
“It’s the Cherokee way to give back and take care of the people around us and the people we’re close to,” Province said. “Secondly, it helps the sustainability of our business. I don’t think you do one without the other. You can cut a check and say ‘look how we’re giving back to the community,’ but is that really the Cherokee way? No. We want to be that company steps out into the community and you can see us on the frontlines.”
Breaking the Gaming Ground
Get ready for more gaming excitement—Cherokee style. This summer, gamers will be able to enjoy delicious food, casino fun and more than 200 electronic games at the new Cherokee Casino Ramona.
Catch all the Grand Opening celebration action, July 2 with free hot dogs plus drawings, fun and excitement all day long! Plus, Anything Can Happen at any time during our grand opening!
“Cherokee Casino Ramona will have a very diverse gaming floor,” said Chris Province, operations manager at the casino. “There will be traditional favorites such as VGT games, as well as a wide variety of penny games.”
After working up an appetite on the casino floor, gamers will be able to choose from a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options sure to satisfy those hunger pangs at The Grill. “There will be something savory no matter what our players are craving,” said Province.
And when they’re ready to take a break and count their winnings, they can visit the full-service bar and relax with one of their favorite drinks or take advantage of The Bar’s 99¢ daily margaritas.
Cherokee Casino Ramona is located on a 20-acre site west of Interstate 75 and north of the Ramona exit, halfway between Tulsa and Bartlesville. CNE chose the location because of its strategic positioning between the two large metropolitan areas and the convenient access to the highway.
“Our goal is first and foremost to create good-paying, stable jobs in our Cherokee communities,” said David Stewart, Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have proven that our gaming operations are an asset to the communities in which we reside. The city of Ramona recognizes this and has been a very welcoming and a great partner to work with.”
CNE currently employs more than 3,500 people throughout northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. All the profit from CNE ’s revenues benefit the Cherokee Nation through job creation and funding for vital government services, such as health, education, housing and community services.