Bill authorizes ball and dice games at tribal casinos in Oklahoma

Thursday, March 15, 2018

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation owns and operates the Duck Creek Casino in Beggs, Oklahoma. Photo: I-5 Design & Manufacture

A bill in Oklahoma authorizes the addition of ball and dice games at tribal casinos.

Senate Bill 1195 cleared the Senate by a vote of 30 to 16 on Wednesday. Supporters said it could bring in more revenues to the state, according to news reports.

Tribes have already shared more than $1.25 billion since 2004, when voters approved Class III gaming in the state. Payments are based on a percentage of electronic gaming revenue, as well as a percentage of net win from table games.

According to the Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit's latest report, tribes shared $113.9 million in fiscal year 2017. That was an increase of 1.44 percent from the prior year.

The addition of ball and dice games could bring in another $22 million next year and $49 million in the following years, the sponsor of Senate Bill 1195 said, The Tulsa World reported.

The bill has to be considered in the state House before it becomes law.

Read More on the Story:
Vegas-style roulette, dice games could be headed for Oklahoma casinos (The Oklahoman March 14, 2018)
Senate OKs bill to allow casinos to use ball, dice despite concerns over gambling addictions (The Tulsa World March 14, 2018)
Modernized gambling bill aims to generate funds for teachers, education (KOCO March 14, 2018)
Oklahoma Senate Approves Ball and Dice Games for Tribal Casinos (The McCarville Report March 14, 2018)