Wildhorse Resort Casino in Eastern Oregon Unveils $100 Million Expansion
Posted on: May 28, 2025, 10:51h.
Last updated on: May 28, 2025, 01:48h.
- The Wildhorse Resort & Casino is undergoing a $100 million expansion
- The project includes an additional hotel tower, a convention center, and a banquet kitchen
- The tribal casino is owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is doubling down on its Wildhorse Resort & Casino in Eastern Oregon.
On Tuesday, the federally recognized tribe that holds a Class III gaming compact with the State of Oregon that allows it to operate traditional slot machines and live-dealer table games announced a $100 million expansion of Wildhorse. A statement on the undertaking said the two-year project, which is already underway, is to “enhance the Las Vegas-style gaming experience.”
A bulk of the funds will go toward constructing a 10-story, 214-room hotel tower. A 15K-square-foot convention and event center, along with a new restaurant and banquet kitchen facility, are also in the works.
We want to create more memorable experiences through forward-thinking investments in areas that impact our guests as soon as they walk in our doors,” said Gary George, CEO of Wildhorse Resort & Casino. “A consistent, high-quality casino experience is the difference for consumers and the region.”
Once the hotel addition is completed, the Wildhorse destination will have more than 400 keys. The event center, when configured for live music, will be capable of seating 1,500 guests.
Wildhorse Galloping Ahead
The Umatilla Indian Tribe has invested back into Wildhorse every year since 1999 with new amenities and upgrades. But this week’s announcement is the largest since the tribe completed its $45 million hotel in October 2011.
The Wildhorse Resort & Casino includes 1,100 slots, 14 table games, live keno and bingo, and a poker room. Though the tribe could pursue sports betting privileges through its Class III gaming compact, the small-margin business remains unattractive to the Umatilla Indians.
Off the casino floor, the tribal resort offers many family-friendly attractions highlighted by the Family FunPlex that includes a 24-lane bowling alley, a 30-game arcade, a five-screen movie theater, and a four-eatery food court ranging from ice cream and burgers to fish and chips to pho. Wildhorse additionally offers an 18-hole golf course.
The tribe’s $100 million investment is to hopefully bring larger business events, weddings, and other gatherings to the resort located a few miles east of downtown Pendleton. The city is the county seat of Umatilla County, which is 150 air miles east of Portland, Oregon’s most populated city.
Oregon Tribal Gaming
Oregon is home to nine federally recognized tribes. All but the Burns Paiute Tribe operate a casino.
The Burns Paiute closed its Old Camp Casino in 2012. The tribe’s remote location in Harney County led to its casino difficulties and the tribe’s inability to secure a casino partner and financier.
The Umatilla Indians set aside up to 6% of the Wildhorse gross gaming revenue won from its slot machines and table games for its Wildhorse Foundation. The charitable arm provides grants to nonprofits and/or infrastructure.
The Oregon compacts also require gaming tribes to cover all “reasonable costs of necessary street, road, or highway improvements” related to their tribal gaming facilities and resorts.
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