Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, has kicked off a big six-phase renovation to turn its Grand Casino floor into a non-smoking gaming environment. It’s a move that puts the property among the largest smoke-free casino floors in the United States.

The project launched in January and will ultimately deliver 5,400 slot machines and 83 table games across a fully non-smoking gaming floor. The first renovated section reopened to guests on February 13. Subsequent phases are scheduled to come online throughout the spring, each one adopting the new non-smoking policy as construction wraps in that area.

Phased Rollout Continues Through Spring

The renovation progresses in stages to keep things running. Guests will encounter redirected pathways as construction advances through different zones of the gaming floor. Table games have been temporarily relocated to the southern portion of the Grand Casino floor during parts of the work. Pragmatic approach that keeps gaming positions accessible while the property undergoes its transformation.

Beyond the policy shift, the renovation includes new carpeting, reconfigured walkways, and updated lighting systems across the entire floor. The scope of work reflects a comprehensive refresh rather than superficial updates. A strategy consistent with the property’s broader investment pattern, frankly.

Part of Broader Property Upgrades

This casino floor project follows a 2024 renovation of the resort’s Grand Tower. All 329 guest rooms and 18 suites received full updates. Taken together, the investments signal a sustained capital deployment strategy at one of Oklahoma’s flagship tribal gaming properties.

The shift to a non-smoking environment represents a calculated commercial decision in a market where air quality and guest preference increasingly influence competitive positioning. Smoking sections remain standard across much of the US casino industry, of course. But a growing number of operators have carved out or expanded non-smoking zones in response to shifting demographics and health considerations.

Choctaw Durant expects the full six-phase renovation to conclude by late spring 2026. At that point the property will operate one of the nation’s most expansive smoke-free casino floors. The timeline suggests construction will remain active for about four months. Relatively tight schedule given the scale of what they’re doing.