Louis Gray: Gaming vital to Oklahoma's economy

Monday, February 25, 2008  

"When federal regulators proposed regulations which would have crippled the economic gains won through class II gaming and pleased state opposition to Indian casinos a hearing to listen to the concerns of the affected tribes was expected. But. what wasn't expected, at least so strongly, was the quick support Congressmen Tom Cole and Dan Boren gave to tribes. They understood our situation.

The state has a point. It just doesn't help Indian governments and the needs gaming money pays for. Simply put, class III games are state compacted games, and while lucrative, it also means a share of those profits means they go to the state. Class II games which used to mean games like bingo stayed with the tribes. So, the tribes had a lot more class II games than class III, just like they told everyone in business class.

Cole and Boren understand that gaming has wiped out unemployment and funded vital services in Indian country. They reasoned the proposed changes were enacted to cause problems not fix a problem. They have our thanks."

Get the Story:
Louis Gray: Cole and Boren side with Indians (The Native American Times 2/22)

Another Story:
Boren, Cole torn between interests (The Oklahoman 2/24)
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