Expansion of tribal casinos to continue in Oklahoma

Sunday, April 17th 2005, 11:47 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Tribal casinos will expand in Oklahoma for at least the next three years, fueled by new games authorized by voters in a statewide referendum and resort-style venues that offer a variety of entertainment options, tribal officials said Saturday.

Oklahoma Indian tribes already operate more than 80 casinos and are planning more throughout the state to keep pace with growing demand, officials from the Cherokee, Choctaw and Osage tribes said during a panel discussion with newspaper publishers and editors at The Associated Press' AP/One Convention.

``At some point we will see it plane out,'' said David Stewart, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Enterprises. But tribes have no long-term plan to ask the state and voters to expand casino options to stimulate new interest.

``We're not pushing that. I think that needs to be done by the state of Oklahoma and the people,'' Stewart said.

In November, voters overwhelmingly approved a tribal gaming measure that gave the state some authority over and profits from Oklahoma's tribal casinos. It also permits three of Oklahoma's struggling horse racing tracks to offer the same electronic games allowed at tribal casinos.

Officials estimate it will raise about $70 million a year for local schools and college scholarships.

Casinos provide jobs for thousands of people, including tribal members, and tribes use the revenue for tribal housing, medical facilities, schools and transportation needs on tribal land and surrounding communities.

``We're upgrading our lifestyle,'' said Julie Malone, project manager for the Osage Nation Gaming Commission.

Stewart said approval of the tribal gaming measure has encouraged tribes to spend millions of dollars to expand casinos and build new ones that will allow Oklahoma Indian tribes to compete with Las Vegas casinos.

Tribal compacts with the state allow games that are common in Las Vegas, including video poker. Only craps, roulette and a form of black jack are not permitted, he said.

``Post-compact creates a Las Vegas environment that essentially doubles our market,'' he said. Oklahoma casinos are attracting visitors from Texas, Arkansas and other states.

``I think it's going to be competition at its finest. It's going to be good for the consumer,'' Stewart said.

The future of Indian gaming in the state are casinos that includes hotels, restaurants, golf courses and family oriented activities, Malone said. The Osage Tribe operates three casinos and is building another 40,000-square-foot casino in Tulsa.

The Choctaw Nation operates seven casinos and soon will open another at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw, said Christian Fenner, project manager for the Choctaw Nation Gaming Commission. The tribe offers 4,000 games, including 250 authorized by the new compacts, Fenner said.

Stewart said the Cherokee Tribe has spent $100 million on casinos over the past 18 months and plans to spend another $100 million. The tribe employs 2,500 casino workers and plans to hire 1,000 more.