Ellis Gaming of Las Vegas has submitted a five-year management agreement to the National Indian Gaming Commission to expand the existing Kickapoo Casino and develop a new casino resort in Oklahoma.

In mid-June, the Kickapoo Tribe approved plans to purchase land for a new casino in Shawnee and expand an existing casino near McLoud. Planners want to build the new casino near Interstate 40 and U.S. 177.

Ellis Gaming will be responsible for managing the existing facility and for overseeing, developing and managing the new casino.

Phase one of the project is a $20 million expansion of the existing casino. Funding for this phase was provided by The Marshall Group, an investment bank based in Minneapolis.

The second casino is slated to be a full-service destination resort. Plans for the resort include 1,200 slots, 40 table games, several restaurants and up to 400 hotel rooms. The Friedmutter Group, based in Las Vegas, will be responsible for the design and architecture of the new resort.

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