Residents in Coweta, Oklahoma, are preparing for Muscogee Creek Nation’s new casino-hotel, but not everyone is on board with gambling. KJRH 2 News Oklahoma reached out to locals on Monday for feedback.

Muscogee Creek Nation’s $100 million casino-hotel in Coweta will be located off SH-51 and 131st St. across from people’s homes

Local resident Debra Fury told 2 News the reason they love living in Coweta is because of the small town feel. She and her neighbors fear the casino could change the town’s current lifestyle.

“I like small towns, you know, and where you know everybody,” she said. “That’s how Coweta used to be, but it’s got to where more people have been coming in, leaving Broken Arrow, coming to this area and we don’t know them.”

The casino will be located right off SH-51 and 131st St. However, right across that street are people’s homes. The location also worries Fury, as she said that highway has been known for accidents.

Muscogee Creek Nation’s casino-hotel is a $100 million investment. The project is expected to boost the local economy by bringing a hotel and restaurant in town as well. It will also provide at least 250 jobs.

Despite the potential benefits, Fury believes the risks outweigh the benefits.

“I don’t think it’s going to help us, I really don’t. I think it’s going to cause more problems to have a casino in Coweta than anything,” said Fury.

“It’s going to bring in a lot of different kind of people. There’s going to be good people, but it’s going to bring in some bad people to.”

Coweta’s city manager responded to concerns in an email

Fury said a number of her neighbors are also worried.

Coweta’s City Manager Julie Casteen responded to 2 News when asked about the residents’ concerns.

In an emailed statement, Casteen said:

“The MCN provides extensive security around their gaming properties. In speaking with city managers for other communities where they have built casinos, the change in the crime rate has been minimal. I was impressed with the statement made by one of the gaming officials when this concern was raised.

“He stated that his intent is always to make their facilities a place where he would feel comfortable sending his wife to without him. The members of the MCN are no different than our citizens; they live in Coweta. … They want it to remain a safe, low-crime environment.”

The casino is set to open in the spring of 2026.