Tribes wait for approval to offer new games at casinos in Oklahoma

Monday, August 6, 2018  

Tribes in Oklahoma are waiting on final approval to offer ball and dice games at their casinos.

Roulette, craps and similar games became legal in May under a new state law. But the tribes are still waiting to hear from the Bureau of Indian Affairs before going forward.

"This is going to bring in a new wave of guest to Oklahoma, the guest who like ball and dice games," Lana Rivera, the general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa on the Cherokee Nation, told KOKH .

Lawmakers who supported the expansion believe it could bring another $22 million to the state next year. That's on top of the revenues that tribes already share as part of their federally-approved Class III gaming compacts.

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.

Since 2004, when voters approved Class III gaming, tribes have shared more than $1.25 billion with the state. The first agreements are due to expire in 2020.

According to the model gaming compact, all amendments -- such as the one authorizing ball and dice games -- must be approved by the BIA before taking effect.

Read More on the Story:
Many casinos ready for ball and dice, despite delay (KOKH August 2, 2018)
Oklahoma City hosts Indian Gaming Association (The Oklahoman July 25, 2018)
All bets are off: Details of sports betting’s future unknown (The Oklahoma Journal Record July 25, 2018)
Gaming officials prepare for ball and dice casino games, sports betting (KOCO July 24, 2018)

Cherokee Nation welcomes expansion of gaming with ball and dice games (May 10, 2018)
Bill authorizes ball and dice games at tribal casinos in Oklahoma (March 15, 2018)