Gaming has become a $2.2 billion business in Oklahoma, according to the North American Gaming Almanac.

The figure includes revenue from tribal and non-tribal facilities, as well as the state lottery. It puts Oklahoma in reach of Louisiana as one of the top gaming states in the nation.

"It used to be that 30 to 40 percent (of Oklahoma gamblers) would play here, and the other 60 or 70 percent would save their money and go to Vegas or Kansas City or Shreveport, [Louisiana]” Brian Foster, the chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, told The Oklahoman. "Now I think we're keeping 60 to 70 percent here."

State voters legalized Class III gaming in 2004. Since then, Oklahoma has become the third largest state for the number of gaming machines in play -- only Nevada and California have more.

Tribes are mostly responsible for the growth. In terms of gaming machines, the Chickasaw Nation owns two of the 78 largest casinos in the country. Six of the top 190 facilities are in Oklahoma.

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Gaming sees big growth (The Oklahoman 10/14)
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