The state of Oklahoma is no stranger to gaming. Last August it licensed its first two racino operations, but they join a long line of gambling opportunities ranging from lotteries to Indian casino resorts. Hardly surprising for a state that has a list of 42 distinct tribes within its borders, 19 with gambling rights, is the presence of around 86 gambling venues with more to come. Recently announced was the Ottawa Tribe’s project in Miami, Oklahoma, the first Las Vegas style casino and billed to put Miami on the map as a travel destination. The county already has over 1,000 people employed in the gambling industry and the tribes have invested nearly US$200 million.

Oklahoma’s share of gambling profits may be rising, around US$7 million in 2005 from the gaming tribes, but recently revenue is falling below projections. This is due partly to the electronic games that do not contribute to state finances, unlike slot machines. Proposed legislation by the US Justice Department may establish a clearer definition of Class II and Class III gaming in due course. The Cherokee Nation’s addition of 450 gaming machines at its Catoosa casino under compact prevented state revenue declining further.

One Nation United is an organization based in Oklahoma City that seeks to tell people that ‘federal policy is driving Americans apart by fuelling divisiveness between tribal governments and their neighbours.’ Under the guise of pro-fairness and pro-economic growth, the organization suggests that tax and regulatory inequities favour the tribes. This is firmly refuted by Mike Graham, a member of the Oklahoma Cherokee Nation, who points out that money made by tribal businesses within a state stays within that state and supports programmes such as health and education.

Casinos are often accused of having a negative effect on local businesses but national companies, such as supermarket chains, oil, gas and insurance companies, are frequently offered tax breaks and other benefits to locate within a state whilst most profits will go out-of-state. This, Mike Graham states, is disadvantaging local small businesses. Also of great concern is the amount of money tribal nations must spend each year in order to counter unnecessary litigation brought against them in the courts.

When the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed on 17 October 1988, few could have envisioned the future gaming boom. The cynical would say that the tribes would never have won the concession had it been known how lucrative the tribal gaming industry would become. Lack of oversight is often quoted as a reason to alter tribal sovereignty over Indian gaming, but the tribes spend millions of dollar on internal oversight and regulation and provide funds to cover state regulatory expenses. In 2000 tribal gaming employed twice as many in regulatory roles as Nevada, Atlantic City and all other US state gaming facilities combined.

In general it seems that the American public, when polled, is in favour of tribal gaming, but this will not prevent legislators at state and federal level being lobbied and lobbying for changes to the law. The introduction of new bills at national and local level, and the instigation of lawsuits around the US, will doubtless continue for many years to come. (E-02.02.06)

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