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Firm says it put $40M in Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes gaming site

Tuesday, February 18, 2014


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A company that has been working with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma says it put $40 million into an Internet gaming site.

Universal Entertainment Group signed a deal to operate Poker Tribes. But Gov. Rollin “Eddie” Hamilton, who was sworn into office last month, said the tribe has ended the arrangement.

“We spent close to $40 million on this project. The Cheyenne and Arapahos spent close to $10 million on this project. And due to the political agenda taking office, they are destroying everything. It just doesn't make sense,” Isaias Almira, a managing director for the company, told The Oklahoman.

The tribe reportedly spent $9.5 million on the project and signed a new Class III gaming compact with the state to share revenues. The Bureau of Indian Affairs rejected the agreement and the tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court.

Hamilton, however, has told the tribe's attorney to withdraw the lawsuit. In a letter to tribal members, he suggested the tribe might sue the Internet gaming firm.

Get the Story:
Oklahoma tribe folds poker website that cost $9.5 million (The Oklahoman 2/16) Related Stories:
Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes kill plans for Internet gaming site (2/17)