Indian Gaming > Oklahoma tribes support repeal of gaming compact bill

May 06, 2004

Oklahoma tribes support repeal of gaming compact bill

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is advocating for the repeal of the tribal-state compact bill so that the issue can be put before the voters this November, The Daily Oklahoman reports.

OIGA chairman Brian Foster says the tribes will raise "a kazillion dollars" to ensure passage because churches that oppose gaming will be spending "a kazillion dollars" to defeat it.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith says the compact will be approved with 65 percent of the vote. "I think the public is beginning to understanding that ... tribes can help this economy, that rural communities benefit economically from gaming and that tribes are responsible with the money it produces," he is quoted as saying.

The compact would legalize certain forms of electronic casino machines and require tribes to share a portion of revenues from those machines with the state.

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November vote sought on gaming (The Daily Oklahoman 5/6)
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