Revenue from tribal gaming falls short of estimate

Thursday, June 30, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma will receive less than one-third of the money it expected through tribal gaming compacts, according to newly released figures.

The tribes paid nearly $2.3 million through last week and no more money is due for the fiscal year that ends today, officials said. State Treasurer Scott Meacham had predicted the state's share at between $7 million and $8 million.

The treasurer has said the shortfall was caused by gambling industry delays in developing new machines and having them certified by state and tribal regulators.

Paul Sund, communications director for Gov. Brad Henry, said it has taken longer than anticipated to develop the machines, which are more restrictive than Las Vegas-style Class III games but faster than bingo-based Class II games.

"Tribes don't have the machines in place, and so the state hasn't collected its share from them yet," Sund said.

Meacham has projected revenues from the tribal casinos will reach $71 million a year -- all for education purposes -- once the gaming compacts approved by Oklahoma voters last November are fully in place.

Sund said this year's shortfall has no bearing on long-term revenue projections.