Voters in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma passed a ballot measure in the November 8 election, allowing Sunday liquor-by-the-drink sales, effective immediately. The vote ended a legal battle between the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission and Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
In 2012, the tribe was cited for selling alcoholic beverages on Sundays at its Grand Casino. Tribal Chairman John Barrett argued since the drinks were sold on the reservation, the tribe was exempt from the no-Sunday-sales restriction. The state disagreed. However, the tribe stopped serving liquor on Sundays more than a year ago, Barrett said. Instead it served a 3.2 malt drink menu including ciders, wine coolers and other low-alcohol drinks.
“Not being able to serve has hurt our Sunday business. Not particularly our gaming business, but it has hurt our food and drink sales on Sunday,” Barrett noted. He said in addition to alcohol sales on Sundays, the casino’s champagne brunch will also resume.
Shawnee City Manager Justin Erickson said he hopes more restaurants will open in the city now that the ballot measure passed.
