Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin recently signed House Bill 3375, reversing a 2004 state law that made traditional craps and roulette illegal in Oklahoma tribal casinos. Craps and roulette are expected to be introduced in the fall. Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos Chief Executive Officer Pat Crofts said, “I wish we could do it tomorrow.”
Crofts said he worked with legislators and the governor’s staff to get the bill passed. “We told them all the same thing, we need to do this. Since gaming and the compacts were approved in Oklahoma, the industry has grown. We’ve grown into full-service luxury resorts. So the industry has grown, but unfortunately the gaming laws didn’t grow along with it. We think this is a really good first step.”
Crofts added allowing the ball and dice games at tribal casinos is a “win-win-win. Number one, it’s a win for our customers and the customer experience. Number two, it’s a win for the state and for education. And number three, it’s a win for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation because it will bring increased business, and the guests are going to enjoy it more.”
Currently MCN casinos offer electronic craps and roulette. Traditional craps and roulette, however, offer “a totally different experience,” Crofts said. “If you’re a true crap player, you want to have the dice in your hand, or catch a hot player that’s got hot dice.”
Before the games can be implemented, the tribe’s compact with the state must be amended, and the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Indian Gaming Commission must give final approval.
