Tag: Gambling

Gambling deadline passes without any renegotiation

January 16, 2020

Two tribes agree to an eight-month extension Despite the expiration of the state gambling compact, Oklahoma’s tribal casino’s continued to operate in January as some tribes refused to extend the time to negotiate with Gov. Kevin Stitt. Under the 15-year-old compact, the tribes had exclusive rights to gambling operations in the state. Stitt wants a…

Editorial: Inconsequential casino taxation

December 5, 2019

Oklahoma’s tribal casinos are proud to announce they paid $138 million to the state as part of their exclusive gambling compact. That’s a lot of money. But it’s a pittance when you see revenue figures for 2018 – $2,300,000,000.00. In other words, the casinos are donating chicken feed when it comes to how much money…

OCPA: The tribal gambling compacts need renegotiation

November 28, 2019

OKLAHOMA CITY—A new report by the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) highlights the need for Oklahoma to renegotiate its gaming compacts. “It’s clear from the data, Oklahoma casino operators are getting an incredibly special deal,” said Jonathan Small, OCPA president. “I encourage everyone to read this report. After doing so, there should be no…

Editorial: Greed, gambling and the governor

November 28, 2019

For the State of Oklahoma to sanction Las Vegas-style gambling at more than 140 tribal casinos is a public disgrace. Gambling denigrates any of the good things that the tribes have done in the state. The casinos siphon off billions of dollars each year and gambling ruins the lives of many, many Oklahomans – especially…

Gambling compact negotiations between Stitt/tribes stalled

November 21, 2019 Ray Carter

Gov. Kevin Stitt said state-tribal negotiations over casino compacts have reached an impasse, but said he remains committed to an improved agreement that will require state casino operators to pay market rates for monopoly gambling rights. “What does the casino industry pay in other states?” Stitt said. “What is market? That’s the fairest way to…

Editorial: Oklahoma promotes gambling

August 29, 2019

While Gov. Kevin Stitt and tribal leaders battle over renegotiations on the gambling pact, a major issue is largely being ignored. The 141-plus gambling operations in Oklahoma are destroying lives, careers and families. The tribes are making hundreds of millions of dollars and they want at least 15 more years of the brother-in-law deal they…

Editorial: Get out of the casino business

July 25, 2019

The gambling pact between the State of Oklahoma and the tribes is about to expire. First, it’s gambling, not “gaming.” Gaming makes it sound like a harmless pastime while gambling is a more correct term. You walk into a casino, you most likely will lose money. That’s gambling. When former Gov. Brad Henry and state…

Stitt moves to renegotiate the state’s casino gambling pact

July 18, 2019

Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to renegotiate the gambling compacts between the state and the tribal governments. The compacts expire January 1, 2020. Some tribal leaders don’t want any changes and claim that if they don’t like Stitt’s changes, the pact will automatically continue for another 15 years under the same terms. Attorneys for the state…

Editorial: Gambling claims 2 more victims

May 23, 2019

A famous Oklahoma college football player is in federal prison because of his gambling problem. Blake Ferguson was convicted of fraud as an employee of Firstar Bank where he was a senior vice president. He stole almost $700,000 to pay off gambling debts and was sentenced to two years and seven months in federal prison….

Oklahoma ranked No. 1 in casinos and fantasy sports

May 2, 2019

According to a national study, Oklahoma (on a per capita basis) is No. 1 in the nation the number of casinos per capita and the “legality of daily fantasy sports.” The WalletHub study, “2019’s Most Gambling Addicted States,” has Oklahoma as No. 2 in the nation in gambling machines per capita; No. 9 percentage of…