According to Meister’s estimates, Oklahoma’s tribal casino operators have significantly increased the number of Class II machines over the years. That decision has had significant financial repercussions in Oklahoma.Īlan Meister has kept statistics on tribal gaming and published Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report for more than 20 years, and the state’s Oklahoma Game Compliance Unit’s Annual Report relies on his numbers. However, the National Indian Gaming Commission eventually shelved that proposal.

Had the proposed rules been adopted, many Class II electronic “bingo” games in Oklahoma casinos would likely have been considered Class III machines, subject to payment of state fees.

However, the exclusivity fees do not apply to Class II machines in Oklahoma’s tribal casinos, and few lay people can tell the difference between the look and operation of Class II electronic bingo games in most tribal casinos and traditional Class III electronic slot machines.Īt one point, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), which regulates tribal class III gaming under the IGRA, considered adopting regulations that would clearly separate Class II and Class III machines. The question was sold as a way to fund education. The passage of State Question 712 in 2004 allowed Oklahoma’s tribal governments the exclusive right to operate casinos with Class III games in exchange for payment of “exclusivity fees” to state government. Class III games also include blackjack, craps and roulette. Traditional slot machines are considered Class III gaming. Class II gaming refers to bingo-style games, including electronic versions. The federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act outlined three classes of gaming, of which two categories apply to the current debate in Oklahoma. One fact stands out above all others: Oklahoma has more slot machines than all but a handful of states-yet collects less revenue than most and collects that revenue off a smaller share of slot machines, than most of its counterparts. Kevin Stitt has called for renegotiation of those state-tribal agreements, this paper provides information on the current system and how it compares to the taxes/fees paid by casino operators elsewhere. Reproduction or use of the content or data is prohibited without written authorization from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.Īs Oklahoma’s gaming compacts are set to expire at the end of the year and Gov.