In August 2006, Riverwind Casino opened to the public. That makes this month our birthday month, and we couldn’t be more excited to be celebrating 10 years of heart-thumping gaming, exhilarating entertainment and endless good times.
In the last decade, we’ve been named Best Casino in the State by the Oklahoman’s Reader’s Choice Awards and the Gazettes Best of Awards eight times.
In honor of our decade of being Oklahoma’s most rewarding casino, we took a look back at everything that’s happened in the last 10 years.
2006
August – Riverwind Casino opened to the public featuring two restaurants, a lounge, a food court, a 1500-seat theatre and more than 219,000 square feet of gaming and event space.
December – Mel Gibson attends a prescreening of the movie “Apocolypto” at Riverwind’s Showplace Theater.
2007
2007 was the first year we began holding blood drives for Oklahoma Blood Institute. We have hosted a total of 26 drives since the partnership with OBI, resulting in more than 3,000 donations. Of course, this amazing life-saving stat wouldn’t be impossible without all of our wonderful patrons!
In 2007, we also partnered with three Heisman Trophy winners (and Norman football legends), Steve Owens, Billy Sims and Jason White, to open Autographs Sports Bar.
2009
February – Riverwind Hotel opened to the public in February 2009. With 100 beautiful rooms, guests could now stay and play at Riverwind. Shortly after the hotel opened, construction on the sky bridge was completed, connecting the hotel and casino and giving patrons easy access between the two buildings.
2011
September – Norman-based actor and musician Christian Kane returned for his first hometown concert at the Showplace Theatre.
2012
July – Normanite and (and one of our patrons!) Gabe Scott took home World Series of Poker title.
Chips ‘N Ales opened in the space previously held by Autographs Sports Bar. Chicken pot pie, anyone?
In 2012, Riverwind Casino started an annual charity golf tournament. Since the start of the charity golf tournament, we have raised money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, Cavett Kids Foundation, Bridges Norman, Mary Abbott Children’s House and the Norman Public School Foundation. This year, we raised more than $69,000, the most in tournament history!
2013
May – The Toby Keith Foundation chose the Showplace Theatre to host the 10th annual Denim and Diamond dinner and auction. In total, the event raised more than $1 million!
In May 2013, tornados devastated many areas in Oklahoma, including Moore. Riverwind Casino held a blood drive and was a donation drop-off site for the May 2013 tornado relief efforts. Riverwind partnered with Sooner Bowling and Ebonite International to hold a “Bowl It Forward” tournament at Sooner Bowling. The proceeds from the event went benefited May 2013 tornado relief efforts.
2014
July – Norman native and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill returns home to play a concert at the Showplace Theatre. Vince, we’re still “Tryin’ To Get Over You.”
2015
February– We felt honored to be nominated for an Industry Award at the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards.
2016
In 2016, we debuted the summer music and food truck festival, Beats & Bites. Craig Morgan highlighted a special July edition of Beats & Bites, drawing more than 10,000 people.
One thing we couldn’t be more proud of is our amazing and caring staff. In the past decade, our employees donated their time volunteering at numerous organizations throughout our community, including the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Meals on Wheels of Norman, Cleveland County March of Dimes, United Way of Norman and the American Heart Association.
We’re so excited about the last 10 years that we can’t even wait to see what the next 10 years have in store!
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