Tribes pay state for gaming

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Nine Oklahoma tribes have paid the state more than $522,000 for poker and blackjack games played last month at tribal casinos.<br/><br/>The Office of State Finance says the largest

Tuesday, April 26th 2005, 9:41 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Nine Oklahoma tribes have paid the state more than $522,000 for poker and blackjack games played last month at tribal casinos.

The Office of State Finance says the largest payments were made by the Cherokee Nation, more than $279,000, and the Chickasaw Nation, about $114,000.

The Cherokees operate 125 card tables at three casinos. The Chickasaws have 54 card tables at three casinos.

The payments bring to more than $853,000 the amount paid to the state in the three months that casino card games have been legal.

Tribes pay the state ten percent of the fee they charge players for a round of cards. Players compete against each other, not against the house.