It’s been a decade since Oklahoma voters passed the Tribal-State Gaming Compact.
The agreement paved the way for 34 tribes to open casinos in return for paying the state exclusivity fees. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker says the compact has helped keep Oklahomans’ money in the state.
"The profits aren't going someplace else," Baker said. "That's how we're able to take $100 million of profit and build four clinics and a new hospital."
Baker said gaming revenue has also helped the Cherokees through recessions and the government sequester since 2004. He also said the financial projections for State Question 712 were off.
"It's the first time in my memory that they've ever brought anything to the table where they projected what the benefit would be to the state where they missed it to the plus side," Baker said. "There's been more brought in to the state in taxes than anyone ever projected."
The tribes covered by the compact have paid the state more than $895 million since 2004.
An overlooked benefit is tribes' spending on education out of their gaming revenue.
"We're paying, you know, books and tuition to state institutions for thousands of Cherokees that, had State Question 712 not come about, we would not have had the money to be able to do that," Baker said.
The Cherokees have paid the state more than $13 million in exclusivity fees the last two fiscal years.
