Ongoing struggles revolving around tribal-state agreements on gambling in Oklahoma persist. Not too long ago, the office of Gov. Kevin Stitt entered into renegotiated gaming agreements with four tribal entities within the state. The Governor backed these arrangements with a goal to guarantee increased revenues from gaming, an initiative that immediately garnered the attention of other tribal nations.
In recent developments of the ensuing legal debates, the Joint Committee on State Tribal Relations in Oklahoma has voted down two proposed gambling agreements set forth by Gov. Stitt. As reported by The Oklahoman, the Committee rejected the proposals due to concerns relating to the potential growth of casino gambling mainly in Oklahoma County.
One of the deals was a gaming agreement between the state and the United Keetoowah Band, ratified by the Governor in 2020. Additionally, he also signed off on a gambling agreement with the Kialegee Tribal Town. Even though these proposals were shot down by the Committee, Gov. Stitt reached revised gaming agreements with both the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation.
The Wednesday voting saw legislative representatives opposed to Gov. Stitt’s proposals without any counterarguments. Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg McCourtney publicized the rejection, explaining there were noticeable problems with the two gambling agreements’ structure. He further elaborated that his views on these two proposals are not likely to change.
“I believe there are substantial and fatal inconsistencies in constructing this agreement concerning the lands that are allotted. My view on this will not change over time.“
Senate Majority Floor Leader Greg McCourtney
Lawmakers, Concerned about Possible Casino Expansion
Last summer, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond disclosed plans to uphold the state’s interests in the ongoing court battles over gaming agreements alleged to be illegal. He noted that these agreements led to the depletion of the state’s resources. Before the recent meeting, Drummond expressed his caution in a letter to lawmakers and committee members. In his correspondence, he pointed out that the Committee lacks the jurisdiction to approve proposals already dismissed by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.
“Appropriate adherence to the law leads to the conclusion that the Joint Committee is powerless to legitimize what the Oklahoma Supreme Court previously declared to be invalid,“
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond clarified in a letter
Conversely, Jon Echols, House Majority Floor Leader, expressed deeper concerns about the possible extension of gambling implied in the two proposals. Representing his district in Oklahoma City, the legislator stressed that the construction of another casino is highly concerning. In conclusion, Echols implied that he had been contacted by constituents of Oklahoma County who expressed similar apprehensions.
Despite this, Gov. Stitt showed no such worries. Instead, he questioned why gambling activities are permissible for some tribes and not others. The Governor expressed confusion and put forth a reminder that the proposed agreements involved federally recognized tribes of Oklahoma.
