Horse racing groups oppose gaming compact
Two Oklahoma horse racing associations have written letters to Gov. Kevin Stitt and the secretary of the U. S. Department of the Interior voicing strong opposition to a tribal gaming compact negotiated by the governor that supports building a casino in eastern Oklahoma County.
Allowing the Kialegee Tribal Town to construct a casino in eastern Oklahoma County would pose a financial threat to Remington Park, the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association contend in their joint letter.
"The horse racing industry will not sit idly by and allow such actions to negatively impact the progress made since the passage of the 712 Compact," the racing associations said.
The 712 Compact refers to State Question 712, which was approved by Oklahoma voters in 2004. The measure established a model gaming compact that tribes have utilized to establish and operate casinos in the state. It also enabled electronic gaming machines to be added at state horse racing facilities.
Authorizing electronic games at race tracks provided a "life-saving boost to the horse industry in Oklahoma," but allowing a new casino to be built in Oklahoma County would be a financial threat, the horse racing associations contend.
"We remain gravely concerned regarding the financial impact that another gaming facility in the Oklahoma County area will have on the horse racing industry in Oklahoma," the racing associations said in their letter. "The authorization of an additional gaming facility in Oklahoma County will threaten economic ability of the Oklahoma Horse Industry to succeed in long-term."
Gov. Stitt could not be reached for comment.
In the governor's compact with the Kialegee Tribal Town, he gave his approval for the tribe to construct a casino in eastern Oklahoma County on land east of Choctaw Road and within a mile of a state or federal highway.
The compact was "deemed approved" by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt when he didn't take action to reject it, but the compact still faces a challenge before the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which recently struck down compacts the governor negotiated with two other tribes.
Even if the compact is upheld, the Kialegee tribe would still have to go through a two- step approval process that involves placing the land trust before it could build a casino. During that process, other groups and individuals would have the opportunity to voice opposition.
Several other tribes have indicated they would oppose such a casino and the horse racing associations vowed to fight it, as well.
"We strongly oppose the Kialegee Compact and the Two-Part Determination concurrence contained therein and will fight against it," the associations said.