US Dep't of Interior approves Stitt's gaming compacts with Comanche, Otoe-Missouria

STATE, TRIBES NEW GAMING COMPACTS APPROVED BY DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

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.

U.S. Department of Interior deems approval of gaming compacts for Comanche Nation, Otoe-Missouria Tribe

Agreements welcome “new, modern era of tribal gaming” to Oklahoma 

Oklahoma City (June 8, 2020) -- The U.S. Department of the Interior has deemed approval of the two new gaming compacts between the state of Oklahoma and the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe. This approval means the compacts are legal and, once the compacts are published in the Federal Register, allows the tribes to begin operating under the terms agreed to between the parties in April.

“Today’s approval of our compact with the state of Oklahoma will allow us to welcome in a new, modern era of tribal gaming to the benefit of both our people and the state of Oklahoma,” said Otoe-Missouria Tribe Chairman John R. Shotton. “This compact will help us further diversify our economy, bring in new revenue for services for our people and will allow us to double down on our community engagement in both our existing rural communities and future expansion opportunities. This compact is what is best for our tribal members and we appreciate the Department of the Interior for approving the compact today.”
Read more »

from MuskogeePolitico.com