OKLAHOMA CITY (June 8, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced that the State’s two new gaming compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation have been deemed approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).
“I am extremely pleased to learn that these new compacts have been deemed approved by the federal government,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “I appreciate and respect the thoughtful leadership of Chairman Shotton and Chairman Nelson who worked hard to secure fair terms for their citizens, and whose contributions throughout the negotiations ensured a more level playing field and modernized gaming market in Oklahoma. With these new gaming compacts, Oklahoma is ushering in a new era of prosperity, opportunity, and partnership for the state and the Tribes.”
The compacts represent the new, modern approach to State-Tribal gaming and relationships, and look beyond the one-size-fits-all model utilized in the past. Each new compact establishes clarity and certainty for each sovereign party; expands gaming opportunities for the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe, keeping in mind the dynamic and evolving nature of the gaming industry; provides for meaningful consideration for the State’s fee structure for class III games and table games for new locations; and strengthens compact transparency with clear auditing guidance and with new dispute resolution provisions.
The tribes can begin operating under the terms agreed to between the parties in April once the compacts are published in the Federal Register.
