Last November Oklahoma’s voters approved a measure to allow the state to compact with four tribes for Las Vegas style gambling. Non-house backed card games such as blackjack and poker, and electronic bingo games similar to slot machines will be allowed, according to an agreement published with federal consent this week. The four tribes concerned are the Comanche Nation, the Cherokee Nation, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe and the Miami Tribe.

As more Indian tribes enter into compacts with the state of Oklahoma, it is expected that around 10,000 new electronic games would be added to the existing 20,000. Oklahoma would then be the 5th largest state in machine numbers, only Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi and California having more. In return for additional machines the tribes have allowed some oversight into their operations and a share of profits to the state.

Oklahoma will use its share of gambling proceeds to fund education in the state. Officials have estimated that public schools and other forms of education will benefit by around $71 million a year in funding. The expanded gambling is also providing new jobs as the casinos train additional dealers. Up to 100 additional employment posts have been created at the Cherokee casino near Tulsa alone, and the figure is expected to rise to 200 when card games start at its other two casinos.

Further measures approved by Oklahoma voters last November will also allow some electronic games at three pari-mutuel horse track venues, two of which are tribal-owned. At present there are over 80 tribal casinos in Oklahoma. (E-01.28.05)

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