Casino Industry Doing Well Despite Tough Economy

The casino industry is weathering the financial storm and continuing to thrive in spite of the sequester and the tough economic times.

Today, officials with one Texoma casino held a ground breaking ceremony, in the hopes of expanding their business.

The Comanche Red River Casino is adding a hotel to attract more customers hoping to strike it rich.

There's no shortage of cars in the parking lot of the Kiowa Casino.

"We just have always been gamblers. We like to gamble, my husbands a farmer and he is the biggest gambler you'll ever find," said Shirley Powell, who loves casinos.

"Don't smoke, don't drink gotta do something," said Don Neverovich, another who loves casino.

Tough economic times may be high stakes for some, but casinos seem to hold their own, and for the Comanche Red River Casino plans to expand are underway.

Casino executives are breaking ground on their new hotel.

It will feature 87 rooms with a 100 person banquet room, fitness room and gift shop.

Officials from Comanche Nation say they're excited, to see the new growth they believe will give a boost to the economy.

"We have a tremendous amount of opportunity for employment for career, or maybe for some young person," said Wallace Coffey, the Comanche nation chairman.

As for the customers who are pinning their hopes of becoming rich by putting a coin in the slot, they say it's the perfect place to escape. 

"When you are playing the slot machines, that's all you concentrate on. Don't ask me why but for that time period you're clear," said Neverovich.

The Comanche Red River hotel is expected to be up and running in the beginning of 2014.