Sharing the profits of Native American casinos

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Governor Henry has hired a negotiator to talk to American Indian tribes about sharing the profits of casino gambling. <br><br>The governor has proposed the state reach revenue-sharing

Monday, February 17th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Governor Henry has hired a negotiator to talk to American Indian tribes about sharing the profits of casino gambling.

The governor has proposed the state reach revenue-sharing agreements with Oklahoma tribes that have gaming halls.

The state could end up getting millions of dollars annually in new income from the tribes.

Henry has named Lindsay Robertson, a law professor at the University of Oklahoma, to his special counsel on American Indian affairs. Robertson held the same position for two years for former Governor Keating.

Also up for negotiation is how much the state will get from tribes' tobacco sales. Tobacco agreements signed ten years ago are expiring.

Tribal leaders are working to come up with a united proposal for the new governor.

Tribes are not required to share their profits with the state. But tribes are interested in negotiating with the state because of disputes with federal regulators over the legitimacy of some machines and blackjack games.