Oklahoma Governor Signs New Gaming Compacts with 2 Tribes

Kevin Stitt, the Governor of Oklahoma, has signed two new gaming compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and Comanche Nation. The new compacts will help both the tribes to expand their gaming footprint to increase revenues and provide better services for their people.

Despite the signing, the tribes maintain their legal position that gaming compacts in Oklahoma automatically renew – a stance that is reflected in a lawsuit that both tribes, and a handful of other tribes, filed against the state and Gov. Kevin Stitt. While some tribes have characterized the Comanche and Otoe-Missouria’s action as disloyal, their leaders disagree.

Robert Rosette, an attorney who represents both tribes, said their decision to withdraw from the lawsuit was only logical because the newly signed compacts marked a significant step forward for the tribes. The new agreement will reduce the amount of revenue the tribes must pay the state and permit the tribes to provide full-blown Class lll gaming, elevating the customer experience considerably. Under Class lll gaming, the tribes will also be able to operate sportsbooks.

The tribes also obtained concurrence and approval from the Governor and state to build three new casinos each. For Comanche, one site is near Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, the second is in Chickasha, along Interstate 44, and the third is located on the Texas border along Interstate 35. For Otoe, one site will be near Edmond and Guthrie on I-35 and two additional casinos will be located at points further north along I-35.

“The bottom line is that the tribes signed compacts that are much better than their old gaming compacts, and they did so to improve the economic prospects of their people. While the tribes continue to stand in unity with all Oklahoma tribes in asserting that the old compacts automatically renew, they chose the path that is best for their tribal members,” Rosette said.