Slot Machines On The Increase

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new study of the gaming industry says Oklahoma is now third in the nation in the number of slot machines in the state. The North American Gaming Almanac says Oklahoma has more

Saturday, October 13th 2007, 3:39 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A new study of the gaming industry says Oklahoma is now third in the nation in the number of slot machines in the state. The North American Gaming Almanac says Oklahoma has more than 45,000 machines in 97 casinos and trails only Nevada and California in the number of slot machines.

The report also says Oklahoma collected 2.2 billion dollars in gambling revenue last year which translates to more than $617 per capita spent on gambling.

The growth has come since voters in 2004 approved expanded casino gaming and a state lottery.

Michael Smith with the Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling says he's seeing another increase since gambling was expanded in 2004. He is seeing more people with "significant" gambling problems.

He says the number of Gamblers Anonymous meetings in Oklahoma rose last year as did the number of counselors with specialized training to treat problem gambling.