Tribe closes its Oklahoma gaming operations

Wednesday, June 21, 2000 | 8:14 a.m.

The National Indian Gaming Commission faxed a letter to tribal headquarters Monday saying that "Magic Irish Bingo" and "Red Hot Re-Spin" machines inside the casino are considered Class III gaming devices.

Class III gaming, which includes almost casino-style gambling such as blackjack and craps, is illegal in Oklahoma unless there is a compact with the state. The Kiowa Tribe has no compact.

Commission Chairman Montie R. Deer gave the Kiowas 24 hours to close the gaming center after it received the notice. He wrote that commission representatives were at the center June 2, June 13 and June 14 and told the center manager that the 28 machines are illegal.

The manager assured representatives the machines would be turned off, the letter states.

Gaming Manager Shan Gachot said Tuesday that Magic Irish Bingo is identical to pull tabs, which are legal in Oklahoma. Red Hot Re-Spin is a game people can start and stop themselves by trying to match characters on an electronic wheel.

Gachot said he told commission representatives he was trying to get a resolution from the tribal business committee appealing the commission's ruling that the machines are illegal.

"We already have one set of machines on appeal and we can operate them as long as that appeal is pending," Gachot said. "I thought we'd get the resolution, but we did not."

The tribe can appeal the closure order and ask the commission to review its decision.

Tribal Chairman Earl Yeahquo referred questions to Edna Bointy, the business committee's gaming liaison. Bointy could not be reached Tuesday for comment.

The Kiowa Grand Center opened in 1997, has 14 employees and about 85 machines, Gachot said.