Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration cannot divert gambling revenue from tribal casinos into a trust while a legal dispute between the governor and the tribes is pending in federal court, Oklahoma’s attorney general said in a legal opinion on Monday.

 

In response to an inquiry from Sen. Roger Thompson, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Attorney General Mike Hunter said gambling revenue received by the state must be allocated under the provisions of state law, which directs that 12% of the revenue be deposited into the state’s general fund and the rest into a fund for public education.

 

Stitt and several of the 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma are locked in a dispute over revenue from tribal gambling. Stitt contends the compacts expired on Jan. 1, while the tribes maintain the compacts automatically renewed for another 15-year term.

 

Several of the largest tribes sued the governor in federal court in December, and a federal judge has ordered mediation. In response to that lawsuit, Stitt suggested gambling revenue be placed in a trust until the lawsuit is settled.

 

Meanwhile, gambling at tribal casinos has continued and tribes continue to remit payments to the state. Those payments last year totaled about $150 million.

 

 

OKLAHOMA INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN MATTHEW L. MORGAN RESPONDS TO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RULING THAT GOV. STITT MAY NOT DEPOSIT EXCLUSIVITY FEES IN ESCROW:

 

“We are pleased today’s AG opinion makes it clear money from our exclusivity fees will continue to flow smoothly to public school districts across our state as outlined in the renewed compact. The Tribes will continue fulfilling our responsibilities as described in the renewed compact.   We are also united in our support for Oklahoma’s public education system and pleased the vast majority of the exclusivity fees go toward helping public school districts across our state.   Public school districts depend on the money from our exclusivity fees, particularly rural schools.  The Tribes will continue to remit exclusivity fees, and we are pleased public school districts will continue to receive their payments from the state in a timely fashion."