Oklahoma tribes want internet gambling pact approved

On Thursday the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma called on the Obama Administration to allow them to form a ground-breaking pact with the state of Oklahoma permitting tribes to operate online gaming sites from their native lands.

The plan would generate millions for smaller tribes and for the state government, reports the publication Indian Country Today.

The tribes signed the pact with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin in April this year; it allows tribes to operate and market real money gaming sites to punters outside the U.S. .

The state would get 20 percent of the revenue generated from the gaming sites under the agreement.

“This is an innovative plan that benefits everyone involved. It’s the definition of the win-win,” said Cheyenne and Arapaho Gov. Janice Prairie-Chief Boswell.

“There is no reason for the federal government to intervene in what should be a matter between the tribe and the state. We hope that the Obama Administration allows this process to proceed, which will show that all tribes can get a fair chance in Washington.”

The tribe has been operating a free online social gaming site, PokerTribes.com, but took it down in the spring and started discussions with the state on the new agreement.

“The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association looks forward to assisting our member tribes as they are joining a rapidly changing and developing international gaming industry. Worldwide projections show the annual marketplace to be at 30 billion dollars. This is the next step in generating much needed revenue for Oklahoma Tribes and the State of Oklahoma,” said Brian Foster, chairman of the Association.

The tribe is supporting its initiative with local advertising calling for federal approval of the pact.