Pat Crofts was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2024
For more than four decades, Pat Crofts has led the development of luxury resort, entertainment and hospitality companies throughout the United States, Central America, Asia and the Caribbean.
In Tulsa, Pat serves as the CEO of Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, advancing its remarkable strategic growth, investment and employment since 2011. During this time, he has overseen a total capital investment of more than $750 million in Oklahoma, which includes over $600 million in the expansion of River Spirit Casino Resort into a world-class hospitality and entertainment destination on the banks of the Arkansas River. As part of the development, Pat successfully recruited the national and international brands of Margaritaville and Ruth’s Chris to Tulsa.
At the grand opening of the Muscogee Nation’s flagship property in 2016, Pat said, “We did not want to build a bigger box. We wanted to build an experience. For the first time in Tulsa’s history, a guest can enjoy their weekdays, weeknights and weekends alongside the Arkansas River.”
Through Pat’s leadership, today, Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises is a thriving organization which employs more than 2,200 Oklahomans across 10 entertainment, gaming and resort facilities and provides a positive economic impact of more than $150 million each year.
Prior to joining the Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises, Pat held executive positions with hospitality and resort/gaming organizations including Navegante Group, American Heritage, Inc., International Game Technology/CMS International, Harvey’s Casino Resorts and Harrah’s Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment). Upon graduation from Weber State University in 1973, Pat served as a CPA for the Deloitte, Haskins & Sells firm in Las Vegas, which represented major hospitality companies including the real estate and gaming empire of Howard Hughes.
Pat is currently on the Board of Directors of the Tulsa Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is a former Trustee of the Gaming Industry Association of Nevada; former Chairman of the Nevada CPA Gaming Industry Committee and has served on various boards including Chambers of Commerce, Redevelopment Advisory and Design Review Committees and youth sports organizations.
Tulsa World Media selected Pat as a “2016 Tulsa Persons to Watch,” and subsequently as “2017 Tulsan of the Year.” He was also selected by Oklahoma Magazine as “2019 Oklahomans of the Year” and as “2022 Best CEOs.” Pat was recently selected as one of the “Top 30 CEOs In Indian Country” by Native Business Magazine. He serves as a mentor to many executives at Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprises and the organization is regularly recognized as one of the “best places to work” in Tulsa.
Pat and his wife, Mary Smith Crofts, reside in Tulsa.