Recently the city council in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma unanimously passed a resolution opposing any illegal gaming in the city. The action followed rumors that Embers Grille, located south of the Creek Turnpike, was seeking employees with gaming experience to operate a casino within the restaurant. City Manager Michael Spurgeon said the council became concerned because although the business is on a Muscogee (Creek) Nation allotment, the property is within the city limits.
The Kialegee Tribal Town, an autonomous entity within the Creek Nation, had offered to provide gaming oversight at the location, but the Creek Nation and Broken Arrow officials have said the tribe most likely does not have jurisdiction over the land.
Spurgeon said the council is not aware of any illegal gaming planned for the property. But he added, “Should there be some type of illegal gaming there, or some type of pursuing the sale of alcohol without the appropriate approvals, the first thing we’ll do is go to the Creek Nation. We’ll meet with leaders and we’ll meet with the chief as well as their attorney general to make sure they’re aware of it.”
Broken Arrow Mayor Craig Thurmond and other city officials recently met with Creek Nation leaders to discuss concerns about illegal gaming on the allotment. “They assured us that they have plans in place and they’re ready to act if necessary should there be anything illegal happen on that property,” Spurgeon said.
City Attorney Beth Anne Childs said the city does not have jurisdiction if tribal authorities later approve gaming at the site. That’s why the city council passed the resolution specifically targeting illegal gaming. “At the present time, any actions at the site would constitute illegal gambling. If the Creek Nation decides to move forward with approvals for gaming on that particular tract, that’s something we would have no authority to regulate or contest, I don’t believe,” she said.
The Creek Nation released the following statement:
“The nation and the city share serious concerns about public safety raised by the developers’ refusal to comply with applicable laws and refusal to communicate with either the nation or the city regarding issues of public safety. The nation will not allow an unlicensed gaming facility to operate within its jurisdiction.”
