Q&A: Attorney Michael McBride talks tribal gaming in Oklahoma

Wednesday, August 29, 2012  

"Q: How big of an industry is Indian gaming in Oklahoma?

A: There are about 114 tribal casinos in Oklahoma. In 2011, the Oklahoma Indian gaming industry produced approximately $3.5 billion in revenue. Since Oklahoma and tribal governments began signing modern gaming compacts in 2005, the state has received more than $612 million in Indian gaming compact revenue to be used exclusively for higher education. Indian gaming is the state's second largest industry.

Q: What are the current rules and regulations that govern Indian gaming in Oklahoma?

A: Thirty-three tribal governments in Oklahoma have tribal-state gaming compacts, which govern the play of Class III casino-style gaming and cover the games permitted, exclusivity payments to Oklahoma, monitoring, licensing and more. Tribes and the National Indian Gaming Commission regulate Class II gaming, which includes bingo, pull-tabs and electronic bingo-style games."

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Indian gaming is a big business for Oklahoma (The Oklahoman 8/29)