Senator Bryce Marlatt believes it is time to reconsider the tribal gaming compacts the state makes with the Indian Tribes. He opposes a planned tribal casino near Guymon.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is considering placing the land near Guymon in a trust for the Shawnee Tribe. Marlatt contends the tribe has no historical ties to the Panhandle.
“This would be a terrible precedent by the federal government to allow tribal gambling in lands where tribes have no historical ties,” Marlatt said. “This could open a floodgate of casinos and other tribal ventures on almost every corner in Oklahoma. This move is also concerning to citizens in the Panhandle because of the societal ills associated with the proliferation of gambling. If this move is allowed by the federal government, then it’s time we seriously examine if it is in the best interest of the state to grant exclusivity to tribal governments to open and operate casinos in Oklahoma.”
Marlett said that if the BIA approves the move, he would want to see what it takes to make Oklahoma more open to non-tribal entities to operate casino-style facilities.
“The reality is this project’s approval is as much about expanding tribal sovereignty as it is about the expansion of gambling. If the Obama administration, in its last few days in power, grants a tribe the right to exercise sovereignty 400 miles away from anywhere they have any historical tie, then compacts negotiated with the understanding that casinos would only be allowed on tribal lands may no longer be the most benefit to our state and to our schools. The Shawnee Tribe has no more connection to Texas County than do any of the multinational corporations that operate the premier Las Vegas resorts and hotels. If we are going to expand gambling anywhere in the state, perhaps we should look at who the best operators of such facilities really are and whether they would agree to terms that would provide the state more revenue for critical needs like teacher pay,” Marlatt said.
The BIA has a planned hearing regarding the Shawnee Tribe’s request to put the Guymon land in a trust on January 5 at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Texas County Activities building in Guymon.
