Letter to the Editor: Rip-off?
BY Dennis Roe, Tulsa
Saturday, January 19, 2013
1/19/13 at 7:18 AM
Risdon W. Hankinson of Bartlesville says casino gambling is a "fool's pastime" ("Recalculations," Jan. 4). In Oklahoma, that's likely true. The gold standard, the Nevada Gaming Commission, says casinos are allowed a 25 percent hold, meaning they must pay back 75 percent or risk the loss of their gaming license.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 has no such provision. Nor does the state compact with the tribes. Does that make Indian casinos a "rip-off?" You'll have to decide that for yourself. It would be safe to assume that if Indian casinos had to meet the same criteria as Nevada casinos, there would not be more than 100 of them in Oklahoma.
So what can you do if you think the casinos are unfair? Two things: 1) Just don't go where you feel taken advantage of. Empty parking lots send a powerful message. 2) Write a letter to your congressman and both senators, demanding changes to the IGRA that would prohibit tribes from abusing their privilege of operating a casino.
Letters to the editor are encouraged. Send letters to letters@tulsaworld.com.
