In a recent tax case filed by the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Osage Reservation did not exist, a ruling that could affect the tribe's gaming enterprise.

The Tulsa World reports that Osage casinos in Tulsa, Skiatook, and Ponca City are not on lands held in trust on behalf of the tribe. These three are their most profitable casinos.

"Those three are our highest grossing casinos. It would pretty well devastate us. I estimate it would take half to three-quarters of our net income. Once those appeals run out, it's illegal to game on that property," Osage Nation Congressman Kugee Supernaw told the paper. "This land could have been put in trust a long time ago. It was probably an error in judgment someone made several years ago. They should have pursued it instead of assuming we were going to win the tax case."

The tribe has asked the 10th Circuit to rehear the case. If it's not accepted, the tribe could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case.

The National Indian Gaming Commission won't take action until the tribe exhausts its appeals, a spokesperson said.

Get the Story:
Ruling raises stakes (The Tulsa World 4/12)

10th Circuit Decision:
Osage Nation v. Oklahoma (March 8, 2010)

Related Stories:
Jim Gray: When tribe prospers, Oklahoma prospers (The Oklahoman 4/3)
Osage Nation asks 10th Circuit to rehear reservation case (4/1)
Editorial: Court confirms Oklahoma has no reservations (3/12)
Osage Nation wants rehearing over reservation status (3/9)
Court rejects Osage Nation over status of reservation (3/8)
Editorial: Osage Nation Chief Gray a 'radical' tribal leader (1/14)
10th Circuit hears arguments over status of Osage land (1/11)
Osage Nation files brief in reservation status case (7/28)
Osage Nation to appeal reservation status case (3/17)
Osage Nation seeks new ruling in reservation case (2/11)
Osage chief blasts ruling on reservation status (1/27)
Osage Nation loses state taxation lawsuit (1/26)
Supreme Court won't hear Osage Nation case (10/6)