Oklahoma voters re-elect Governor Kevin Stitt, who has clashed with Tribal operators
Stitt’s re-election is an unfavorable result for Tribal casinos located in the state.
Republican incumbent Kevin Stitt has been re-elected as governor of Oklahoma after garnering 55.5% of the vote. This result is considered as unfavorable for the Tribal gaming industry in the state.
Tribes have gone back and forth with Stitt over revenue-share payments. This standstill with Stitt’s office has turned the hope of legalized sports betting in the state into a stalemate.
According to the Associated Press, it’s believed Stitt’s win was helped by an advertising campaign that linked Democratic challenger, Joy Hofmeister, to President Joe Biden.
All of Oklahoma’s 77 counties voted against Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Chief Gary Batton commented: “Although the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma endorsed Governor Stitt’s opponent, we remain open to cooperating with the administration for the benefit of all Oklahomans.
“We hope Governor Stitt’s second term will be marked by an understanding of the economic, cultural, and social benefits Tribes provide to our state, and that he will agree to work with us on issues affecting all residents.”
Friction arose between the Tribes in Oklahoma and Stitt shortly after his inauguration in 2009.
Batton continued: “As always, we seek to focus on the things we can agree on, rather than our differences.”
At one point, Stitt accused Tribes of offering Class III gaming illegally and followed the accusation up with the threat of opening the state to commercial operators.
The Tribes were vindicated of this accusation in October 2020. Around the same time, the Oklahoma Supreme Court nullified the compacts that various Tribes and Stitt had agreed to.
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