A non-scientific perusal of the vehicle license tags in the parking lots of Oklahoma tribal gaming casinos shows an abundance of Texans partaking in the games.
Texans want in on the other end of the action, too. The Associated Press reports a group of lawmakers is trying again to establish destination casinos in Texas. The idea has been shot down before.
The Lone Star state, like Oklahoma, is in need of the tax revenue the 12 proposed casinos would produce. To sweeten the deal, the lawmakers say $1 billion from the gambling tax money would go toward college scholarships. Road construction would get another $1 billion.
The lawmakers, some Republicans and some Democrats, want to allow construction of up to 12 "destination" resort casinos statewide. They would allow video slot machines at racetracks and wagering on Indian reservations.
Oklahoma has more than 80 tribal casinos, ranging from truck stop slot machines to Vegas-style mega-casinos like Riverwind south of Norman, WinStar near the Texas border and Cherokee Casino in Catoosa.
Texans have a few tribal casinos, lots of bingo halls and a state lottery that draws lots of Oklahoma participants. We don't want to send tourists there but it's only a matter of time before Texans cash in on casino popularity.
