Gambling supporters outpacing opponents in fundraising

Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Supporters of a state question that would allow casino-type gambling at Oklahoma's horse racing tracks have raised nearly eight times as much money as groups that oppose the expansion of gambling in Oklahoma.

Oklahomans for Education and Jobs, which supports the proposal, has raised slightly more than $2.3 million. Oklahomans for Good Government, which opposed the proposal, has raised $302,866, according to reports filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

State Question 712 would enact the State-Tribal Gaming Act, which would allow American Indian casinos and three state-licensed racetracks to offer new types of gambling machines.

Slightly more than $1.5 million going to Oklahomans for Education and Jobs came from Indian tribes, with the remaining coming from gaming companies, the Remington Park racetrack in Oklahoma City and horse associations.

The group has spent a little more than $1 million on advertising, ranging from television commercials to billboards.

archive