Indian Gaming > Oklahoma tribes share far below state projections

December 04, 2006

Oklahoma tribes share far below state projections

When Oklahoma voters were asked to approve Class III gaming, they were told the state would see up to $70 million in revenues a year.

But the tribes who signed the compact have shared far less than expected. Since 2004, only $29.7 million has been collected from revenues of certain electronic gaming machines.

The compact doesn't require tribes to share revenues from Class II machines, which still make up the majority of the Oklahoma market. That's why the projections haven't been met.

David Stewart of the Cherokee Nation says the tribe's share will grow as more "compacted," or Class III machines, are installed. The tribe has contributed $6.2 million, the most of any tribe.

Brian Campbell of the Chickasaw Nation says customer preference dictates how many compacted machines the tribe will install. The tribe, which operates more gaming facilities than any other tribe in the state, has contributed $6.1 million, the second highest amount.

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Tribes continue to pay to play (The Tulsa World 12/3)