10.21
Bingo and Oklahoma: 2 Peas in a Pod
Oklahoma has for a long time been synonymous with Bingo. This is owing to the fact that the Indian bands of Oklahoma have operated Bingo games for years. Clients from all of the surrounding states pile in autos and visit Oklahoma to enjoy Bingo on the weekends.
The 1988 (IGRA) Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was introduced after a landmark ruling by The U.S. Supreme Court the year before. From that time, twenty three of the thirty nine Amerindian tribes of Oklahoma have opened gaming halls. The Chickasaw were the 1st Oklahoma Native tribes to take advantage of the gambling restrictions, and at this time operate ten casinos of their own. Bingo was the game on which these casinos were founded. Electronic games like slot machine games were not approved, owing to the fact that they are thought to contribute to gambling dependency at a higher rate than bingo.
In the past few years, Oklahoma governing edicts has changed to allow for large Native gaming gambling dens. You will now find American Indian gambling dens with slot machine games, video poker and 21 tables. Craps and roulette are not authorized in the American Indian gambling halls as of yet, however that is only a matter of time. No one can determine whether having other games in the bingo houses will do for the appeal of bingo.