Located in Thackerville, OK, along the Texas/Oklahoma border and near Interstate 35, WinStar World Casino and Resort attracts visitors from Oklahoma, North Texas, and the bustling Dallas metro area just 90 minutes away. This strategic positioning has contributed to WinStar’s impressive growth by tapping into the vibrant urban market of one of the country’s fastest-growing regions.
In response to increased market opportunities, WinStar completed its largest single-event, non-gaming expansion in the property’s 30-year history. The expansion represents almost 20 acres of event, pool, hotel, and spa amenities, all opened over the past year.
“The new 6,500-seat Lucas Oil Live, the 304-key Spa Tower and WinStar Spa, and the five-acre Cascades pool complex were all driven by the market and guest preferences,” said Jack Parkinson, President of WinStar. “Our goal is to create a well-rounded resort environment directly responsive to our market of traditional gamers and our guests seeking immersive non-gaming resort experiences.”
Started as a bingo hall in 1994, the property was expanded in 2003 and renamed WinStar Casino. Gaming plazas and amenities have evolved throughout the years. Owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, WinStar has emerged as a global hospitality and entertainment leader, offering over 10,500 electronic games, 100 table games, and over 1,700 guestrooms, earning the title of ‘The Biggest Casino in the World.’
“Our strategic branding partnerships, like with Lucas Oil, and our 15-year design partnership with leading national hospitality and entertainment design firm, HBG Design, have helped shape WinStar’s innovative evolution and market-centered mission,” said Parkinson.
ACM-Nominated Lucas Oil Live – The Crescendo of Entertainment and Design Excellence
“Country music continues to be a focal point of WinStar’s renowned performance lineup at Lucas Oil Live,” Parkinson explained, discussing the resort’s nine-time nomination as an American Country Music Awards ‘Casino of the Year – Theater.’ “It’s an honor being recognized among the industry’s top venues, and Lucas Oil Live provides an even more enhanced event experience for our customers.”
“Drawing inspiration from the rebellious spirit of rock and country music, Lucas Oil Live’s recognized design exudes 250,000 sq. ft. of vibrancy and energy,” said Rob Jurbergs, Principal Architectural Designer at HBG Design. “With a state-of-the-art audio-visual system and an amphitheater-style seating capacity for over 6,500 people, this venue sets the stage for unforgettable performances.”
From the animated LED-lit concourse and theater walls mirroring the rhythmic flow of music, to the exterior’s angled glass offering an unobstructed view of the thematic soundwave design motif, every element was crafted by HBG Design’s team to amplify the concert’s energy.
“An exclusive club seating level with a private lounge has a full bar and kitchen, ensuring that every aspect of design enhances the guest entertainment experience,” added Jurbergs. “This VIP experience is strategically positioned at the median of the hall, providing eventgoers with the ultimate vantage point for concert events.”
Lucas Oil Live introduced Session House Gastropub for pre- and post-event dining. The casual venue is positioned to connect and transition the event center excitement into the resort’s more serene Spa Tower and WinStar Spa amenities. “Our new wellness amenities are equally as popular as our event center,” said Parkinson.
WinStar Spa – Rejuvenating European-Style Wellness Experiences
The luxurious new 230,000 sq. ft. Spa Tower, and its 26,000 sq. ft. European-style WinStar Spa, have emerged as a sought-after destination for wellness enthusiasts as a hallmark of modern leisure design.
“The WinStar Spa features a growing trend in spa design – more communal experiences,” said Landon Shockey, Lead Interior Designer at HBG Design. “The VIP Party Suite is popular with groups desiring a private spa lounge experience with dedicated food and beverage service.”
Separate women’s and men’s lounge/locker rooms feature sophisticated color and material palettes, ice fountains, and a steam room and sauna. The spa is also designed with three couples massage therapy suites, one with private soaking tubs and a digital shower.
To provide a greater experience for groups and couples, WinStar Spa incorporates an amenity-rich coed aqua thermal area with a pool-sized European hydrotherapy tub, an ambient experience shower featuring color-changing lighting, a sauna, and an ice lounge. “The hydrotherapy tub has integrated touchless technology and active water massage stations throughout to provide guests with a variety of relaxation experiences,” said Shockey.
Cascades – A Vibrant Oasis in an Expansive Outdoor Retreat
Spanning over five acres, Cascades pool complex adds another dimension to WinStar’s allure.
“The design of Cascades is formed by a series of six wading and lounge pools flowing around semi-private cabanas, chaise loungers, and seven architecturally significant cabanas and bar pavilions,” said Jurbergs. “The organic, curvilinear shapes of the pools were inspired by the ocean currents and naturally shaped archipelagos.”
Set within lush landscaping and winding pathways, a multi-level site design creates zones of personalization and exclusivity. The ground-level pool experience is maintained for all ages. “On arrival, guests can arrange cabana or chaise rentals, which are appointed a dedicated server,” said Parkinson. Wading pools with in-water loungers, 10×10 cabanas, daybeds, and abundant greenery create an ideal setting for daytime visitors. “Guests have been thrilled with Cascades as a daycation getaway amenity,” added Parkinson.
The upper tier is reserved for ages 21+ and VIP-only casino guests. The Cascades upper tier prioritizes aspirational VIP experiences and comfort, featuring an angular main bar structure clad in white marble effect tile and a vibrant vertical green planter wall. Premium cabanas and a central VIP bungalow offer exclusive amenities like a private kitchen and dining area, a reserved patio, and a private pool entry. “Wood effect architectural wall panels and soffits, black metal fascia, and copper metal accents achieve a cohesive, contemporary architectural look,” said Jurbergs. “The architecture also integrates passive cooling via wood slats and sloped roofs.”
“Every amenity has been thoughtfully positioned to maximize sunlight and water access and lounging while offering ample shaded space for social interaction,” added Jurbergs. “All of the new amenities offer exceptionally guest-driven design.”
Parkinson agrees. “Our relentless focus on creating these unforgettable experiences and unparalleled amenities at Cascades, Lucas Oil Live, and the WinStar Spa reflects our unwavering commitment to exceeding guest and market expectations. The ACM nomination and other national attention that has come our way with this expansion project is a testament to our customers and our collaborators, and to the vision and continuous innovation that is taking place in front of and behind the scenes.”
For more information about WinStar World Casino, visit www.winstar.com. For more information about HBG Design, visit hbg.design.
