AG, tribal leaders discuss gaming compacts

SHAWNEE—Attorney General Mike Hunter said he had a “positive” conversation with leaders of Oklahoma's Native American tribes Monday as the state and most of the state's gaming tribes discussed renegotiating the state's gaming compacts.

But the question of whether the state's tribal gaming compacts automatically renew on Jan. 1 appears to be a major sticking point still between the tribes and the state.

Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, thanked Hunter for talking to roughly 200 tribal members, including leaders of 31 of the state's 35 gaming tribes, about the state's position on gaming compacts.

But it appears nothing was resolved i n the first major meeting between Hunter and tribal leaders.

“It is clear the state has a major dispute over automatic renewal,” Morgan said in a statement. “Tribal leaders will take time Hunter to assess

today' s discussion with Attorney General Hunter. Nothing is more important to the Tribes than resolving the automatic renewal and we are committed to continued dialogue.”

Monday's meeting marked the first time a representative from the state has met with a majority of tribal leaders amid a heated debate over renegotiating the state's tribal gaming compacts — a highstakes dispute with millions of dollars at stake. Reporters were not allowed in the meeti ng, but Hunter answered questions afterward.

Hunter said he's hopeful the state and tribes will be able to find common ground on the compact renewal issue so they can find a mutually beneficial solution going forward.

“We' re hopeful of getting resolution with respect to that issue as well as sitting down and negotiating the general compact,” he said. “Today was important because today was an opportunity to discuss the state' s position. I know I speak for the governor, and we are hopeful and positive and committed to getting our issues worked out.”

Hunter declined to give specifics on what he said to tribal members at the Citizen Pot a watomi Nation' s Grand Casino Hotel and Resort in Shawnee.

Negotiations between t he state and the tribes have prog res s ed slowly asa result of a fundamental disagreement over whether the tribal gaming compacts automatically renew on Jan. 1.

Gov. Kevin St itt has taken the po siti on that the tribes' 15- year gaming compacts with the state will expire unless a renewal agreement is ne go tiat ed. The tribes have taken the position that the gaming comp acts automatically renew on Jan .1 unless both the state and tribes agree to different terms.

St itt, who wants to re negotiate the tribal gaming comp acts to boost state revenues, tapped Hunter to help with the negotiations. Prior to making Hunter his point-person on the negotiations, Stitt met individually with leaders of the state' s gaming tribes.

St itt did not attend Monday' s meeting, but two of his top aides were in the room.

In a statement, Stitt said he's hopeful that this first meeting can set the tone for the state and tribes working together through the rest of this process.

“When we are all working together, I am confident the state and Oklahoma' s 39 tribes can achieve a winwin for all 4 million Oklahomans,” he said.

Hunter said he anticipates having a second meeting with the tribes soon.

Hunter hired outside legal counsel with experience on gaming comp acts to help the state renegotiate with the tribes.

Attorneys from the Michigan law firm Dykema Gossett PLLC were not in attendance Monday.