Governor Kevin Stitt has entered two more tribal gaming compacts. He signed them with the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) and the Kialegee Tribal Town (KTT).
These compacts have a fee of 12 percent for Class III games and table games for new gaming locations. The Kialegee has plans for a casino in eastern Oklahoma County. The United Keetoowah Band will build a new casino in Logan County.
Both compacts have been sent to the U.S. Department of Interior to be approved. The first two compacts signed by the governor were allowed to go into effect by the Interior Department, but are the subject of a court challenge. Those arguments were given to an Oklahoma Supreme Court referee last week.
There’s also a federal lawsuit filed by several gaming tribes in December over the expiration of gaming compacts. Stitt started the process of trying to renegotiate the compacts, and insisted they expired on January 1, 2020.
“By negotiating with each individual Oklahoma tribe, the State is seeking to level the playing field for all tribes and working to ensure that no one is held back by its size or resources from competing and pursuing economic growth for its citizens,” said Stitt. “The Kialegee Tribal Town is pursuing a sound business plan for its first gaming location in Oklahoma with their compact commitment to partner with another Tribe on this venture. They have been good faith partners in this process, and the State looks forward to supporting their efforts to strengthen opportunities for KTT citizens, to expand economic development in the region, and to generate new revenue for Oklahoma’s public education system.”
“It is both an honor and privilege to be announcing the signing of this economic venture between the great State of Oklahoma and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians,” said UKB Chief Joe Bunch. “We thank Governor Kevin Stitt and his administration for this monumental day and for their leadership efforts in this compact. It is a grand day for Keetoowahs and Native American tribes all over the country. It is a day when one of their own partnered with Oklahoma in building a stronger economy through the avenues of retail, food and beverage, hotel, hospitality and casino operations, all by a signing a Class III gaming compact with the state. This compact also presents an opportunity for the UKB to move forward and begin increasing health, education and job opportunities for our tribal members and elders, as well as our surrounding communities. After all, we know if our communities are doing well, the state is also doing well. Thank you and God bless the UKB and the State of Oklahoma.”
“One year after beginning gaming compact negotiations, the State has entered into its fourth compact that makes way for Oklahoma tribes to innovate and compete in a new, dynamic gaming market and strengthens State-Tribal relationships. The compact includes a commitment from the State to support the UKB’s pursuit of land for its first gaming location. This will enhance the UKB’s ability to deliver core government services to its 14,300 citizens while expanding economic development opportunities for all Oklahomans in the region,” said Stitt.
