Oklahoma tribes, governor remain at standstill over gaming compacts renewal
Three Oklahoma tribes have filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Kevin Stitt over the status of tribal gaming compacts.
The Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes want a federal judge to determine whether tribal gambling exclusivity automatically renews in January for another 15-year compact.
In 2004 Oklahoma voters approved a gaming compact that taxed tribes between 4% and 10% of gambling revenue and gave them exclusivity over gaming in the state.
The compact expired on 1 January 2020.
Tribal officials believe that the compact should renew under the same conditions as before.
Governor Stitt has argued that the expiration of the original compact gives the state the right to rework its tax structure to where the state would receive a higher percentage of revenue.
The governor proposed an arbitration in October but 35 tribes declined his offer.
Two tribes, the Kialegee Tribal Town and the United Band of Cherokee Indians, have agreed to an eight-month extension of the present compacts.
Governor Stitt said: “The State of Oklahoma offered an extension, with no strings attached, to all tribes that operate casinos in the state, and my door continues to be open for more tribes to join
who are worried about impending uncertainty.”
Oklahoma casinos have continued to open their doors for gambling in the first days of the year against the governor’s wishes.
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