“We’re contributors not only to the economy but also employees. “We’re doing really good,” he told reporters. (The Class Two machines have a small bingo card in the corner of the screen, meaning the user is actually playing bingo while watching a slot-machine-style presentation.)Ĭomanche Nation Tribal Chairman Wallace Coffey attended Tuesday’s data release at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City. The $1 billion figure announced by the OIGA refers to “ exclusivity fees” paid to the state of Oklahoma by any tribe operating Class Three gaming.įor those fees, casinos pay the state 4 percent of the first $10 million in net-win revenues, 5 percent of the second $10 million and 6 percent of anything above $20 million.Ĭlass Two games require no exclusivity fees, and many gamblers may not know that Class Two slot machines can stand right next to Class Three machines in the same casino. On the other hand, Class Three gaming includes gambler’s most enticing options: card games - like blackjack and poker - against the house roulette craps traditional slot machines. “We have seen considerable benefit both in the local communities and at the state level, and we hope they would continue to allow that to happen.”įollow federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act defines three classes of tribal gaming, but until the Oklahoma State-Tribal Gaming Act passed in 2004, only Class One and Class Two gaming were legal in Oklahoma.Ĭlass One includes ceremonial gaming, while Class Two primarily includes bingo and customer v. “It works, it has worked to the benefit of both (tribes and the state of Oklahoma),” Norman said after the room had cleared.

Norman said he represents the Absentee-Shawnee tribe and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, and he spoke at Tuesday’s OIGA event. “I think as people who represent tribes and tribal organizations, we would hope that the partnership that is between the state and the tribes with respect to Class Three gaming will continue,” said William Norman, an attorney for Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker. By contrast, total tribal gaming revenues for 2014 alone are estimated in the report to have been about $4.2 billion in the state.

How many casino are in oklahoma