Expansion of tribal casinos to continue in Oklahoma

Monday, April 18, 2005 | 9:32 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Tribal casinos will expand in Oklahoma for at least the next three years, fueled by new games authorized by voters in a statewide referendum and resort-style venues that offer a variety of entertainment options, tribal officials said Saturday.

Oklahoma Indian tribes already operate more than 80 casinos and are planning more throughout the state to keep pace with growing demand, officials from the Cherokee, Choctaw and Osage tribes said during a panel discussion with newspaper publishers and editors at the Associated Press' AP/One Convention.

"At some point we will see it plane out," said David Stewart, chief executive of Cherokee Nation Enterprises. But tribes have no long-term plan to ask the state and voters to expand casino options to stimulate new interest.

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