A bill meant to expand the types of games tribal casinos may offer passed through the Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday, but not without some questioning the need for it. Senate Bill 1195, authored by Senator Greg McCortney, expands the state’s compact with the Tribes to allow for dice games and roulette wheels, commonly known as ball and dice games.
SB 1195 is expected to generate about $22 million for the state.
“OMES says, in fact, the positive fiscal impact to the state of Oklahoma of $22 million and $49 million the next year appears to be conservative,” said McCortney during questions on the bill.
Of the $22 million, $16 million would go into the House Bill 1017 school fund. The figure would be $35 million the following year.
Even as the bill would bring additional revenue into the state, some felt it was a step too far to expand gambling.
“At some point in time, I think we are going to have to realize that you can’t value everything by money. I think what we’re setting up here is just a chance for…increased chance for families to fail and become a state liability at some point in time for families that are dealing with this,” said Senator Roland Pederson during debate.
McCortney ended debate outlining the ways the Tribes have helped the state of Oklahoma in several areas including economic development.
“I would submit that there is no business in the state of Oklahoma that reinvests more of its income into growing jobs in the state of Oklahoma than the Tribes do,” said McCortney.
The Senate approved SB 1195 on a 30 to 16 vote. It now heads to the House.
Another crack in the weakening edifice of civilization in Oklahoma. Let’s just borrow Nevada’s laws and substitute “Oklahoma” in them as appropriate. Gaacckkk!