Chickasaw Nation awaits approval of Class III pact

Monday, March 8, 2004  

The Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma has submitted a Class III off-track betting compact to the Department of Interior for approval.

The tribe intends to offer OTB at five facilities. The Daily Oklahoman reports they are located in Ardmore, Kingston, Madill, Paoli and Duncan.

According to sources familiar with the compact process, Interior is trying to determine whether Class III gaming is allowed at the facilities because some of the land where OTB is being proposed was taken into trust post-1988. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's ban on gaming on land acquired after 1988 may or may not apply, depending on how Interior defines "former reservation." IGRA contains an exception for gaming former reservation lands.

Also, some of the land where OTB is being proposed was taken into trust under the guise of economic development rather than gaming. Under Interior definitions, gaming acquisitions are treated to a higher level of scrutiny.

A previously-approved Chickasaw Nation compact applies to sites in Ada, Goldsby, Thackerville and Newcastle and Davis.

Get the Story:
Chickasaws plan off-track betting (The Daily Oklahoman 3/7)
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