Two recent polls indicate nearly two-thirds of the residents in Enid, Oklahoma support the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians’ proposed $10 million casino that would offer Class 2 and Class 3 Las Vegas-style electronic games plus blackjack, poker and ball and dice games.
The Enid Casino Perception Study, commissioned by the tribe and conducted by SoonerPoll, showed 60.3 percent of likely voters in the Enid area support the casino. The poll explained the casino would increase tourism and growth by attracting an estimated 370,000 annual visitors and would be comparable to other resort casinos in the area, tribal officials said. Bill Shapard, founder of SoonerPoll.com, said the poll was conducted by landline and cell phones.
An online poll by the Enid News & Eagle had similar results as the SoonerPoll, with 62 percent indicating support for an Enid casino. The unscientific poll, posted on the homepage of the newspaper’s website was conducted only through voluntary online voting, between September 22 September 26.
The city commission of Enid, Oklahoma recently held a study session regarding the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee’s proposed casino. City Manager Jerald Gilbert said the tribe has been interested in developing a casino in Enid for several years. “We discussed that probably the best way to bring this forward, and talk about it in the community, was to come in here in study session,” he said.
The project would include the $10 million renovation of an existing building on 5.4 acres in east Enid, turning it into a 20,000 square foot casino that could open as soon as early 2020. UKB Corporate Board Executive Director Randall Hendrix said the casino would feature smoking and nonsmoking sections with Class II and Class II games, plus a café. “We don’t plan to sell alcohol or beer. We never have done that before in our old casino, and it seems to work out well for us,” Hendrix said.
Tribal Attorney General Klint A. Cowan added the proposed casino would create 157 full-time jobs and generate $27.3 million in annual gaming revenue for the tribe, with $12 million going to the city over seven years.
In addition, the tribe and the city have agreed to set up a Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreement. The payment would occur every month, based on proceedings from the casino, and would be for a term of 10 years. It could then be renegotiated with possibly a cost of living increase, Cowan said. He noted the tribe is not subject to state or city sales as it is a sovereign entity. “There are ways for the tribe, without paying taxes, to still contribute to the Enid community,” he said.
Cowan said the 14,000-member tribe will not have its own police or fire departments, or hospitals. “They’re going to be dependent on the city of Enid for that, and they’re going to want to make sure that you all are happy.” He pointed out, “The tribe doesn’t necessarily need the city’s agreement, but UKB wants to work with the city and wants the city’s support,” he said. Cowan noted the governor of Oklahoma would have to agree to the land being taken into trust for gaming.
The process also includes submitting a land-trust application to the Department of Interior, passing an environmental analysis and being in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
City Attorney Carol Lahman was asked if the city charter included any provisions allowing the city to prohibit gambling. “I imagine that it’s the intention of the tribe that they would have trust land that would be the tribe’s sovereign land. If that occurs it’s part of our community, but it’s not part of the city that is governed by the charter, or for that matter, Oklahoma law. It would only be governed by their own law and federal law.”
Ward 3 Commissioner Ben Ezzell said he opposes the proposed casino. “I don’t think casinos are a net positive to any community, and I don’t want one here. I hope that at least three more of my fellow commissioners will recognize that and say, ‘Listen, this isn’t good for Enid.’ Let’s just put the brakes on this and make Enid the most difficult community in Oklahoma to build a casino. It’s a fairly black-and-white issue to me, you don’t bring net positives,” he said.
UKB spokeswoman Lisa Liebl said corporate social responsibility is a critical component of the UKB’s plan. “Their hope is to be welcomed in Enid so they can be a community contributor, from food drives to providing shelter during severe weather, donating books to the library to purchasing sporting equipment for after-school programs,” she said. Hendrix added, “We want to go where we’re wanted.”
UKB Assistant Chief Jamie Thompson said the tribe operated a casino for 28 years in Tahlequah. Currently it’s closed due to litigation involving the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, he said.
During study sessions the city commission does not take any action. Items are presented for discussion only and may be brought up during a regular or special meeting for possible action at a later date. out the tribe must apply to the U.S. Department of Interior to take the property into trust.
