Okla. casino game settlement faces delay

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2002

National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Montie R. Deer asked a federal judge on Monday to delay court-ordered settlement talks over a controversial casino game.

The request effectively cuts short efforts by Multimedia Games (NASDAQ:MGAM). of Texas to have its MegaNanza game declared legal in the state of Oklahoma. NIGC commissioner Liz Homer, considered sympathetic to the company's views, leaves her federally-appointed position this week.

The settlement conference was to take place in federal district court in Tulsa today. Acting on a request by Multimedia, U.S. Magistrate Sam A. Joyner of the Northern District of Oklahoma, had ordered the talks last week.

Deer's term expired this past spring but he doesn't plan to leave until a replacement is named and confirmed by the Senate. Due to his move to shut down MegaNanza at several tribal casinos and his opposition to casino definitions Multimedia believes are favorable to the Indian gaming industry, he is viewed as hostile.

Commissioner Teresa Poust, a Clinton appointee, is leaving her post later this summer as well. She sided with Homer to push through the Class II game standards.

Relevant Documents:
Joyner Order (6/28) | Multimedia Request (6/28)

Discussion on Multimedia:
Yahoo! Finance Message Board

Relevant Links:
Multimedia Games - http://www.multimediagames.com
National Indian Gaming Commission - http://www.nigc.gov