Horse industry races to stop casino plan

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By Tony Thornton
Published: May 31, 2008

A proposed Indian casino in Oklahoma City would "virtually destroy” horse racing in Oklahoma, the industry's regulatory agency claims.

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In a letter dated Thursday, the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission asked U.S. Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne to kill the Shawnee Tribe's request to build a 2,000-machine casino and 18-story hotel at Interstate 35 and Britton Road.

The agency's letter coincides with a media blitz aimed at urging Oklahomans to contact the federal government before a June 9 comment period ends.

Additionally, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett joined Oklahoma's two U.S. senators and U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin this week in a letter urging Kempthorne to reject the casino plan.

"We believe the tribe has no legal or historical claim to the current site,” states the letter, signed by Cornett; Fallin, R-Oklahoma City; and U.S. Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee and Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa.

The Shawnee Tribe urged potential opponents to withhold judgment until next year, when public comment will be sought at meetings hosted by the federal government.

Tribe officials say the $400 million project would create 1,900 permanent jobs.

Why Oklahoma County?
The angst stems from the Shawnee Tribe's request for Kempthorne to place 104 acres into trust south of Britton Road and west of I-35. Indian casinos in Oklahoma can be built only on trust land.

Here's the rub: Oklahoma County, as part of the Unassigned Lands as determined before statehood, isn't home to any tribes.

The tribe's financial partner bought the land last fall for $4.5 million. The land is 1.7 miles from Remington Park racetrack and casino, which claims a competing casino would put the state's flagship horse track out of business.

The Shawnee Tribe is based in Miami, OK, roughly 185 miles from its proposed casino site. Language in the 2000 congressional legislation essentially requires the tribe to go outside any other tribe's jurisdictional area to obtain trust land. The tribe chose its Oklahoma City site for its potential profitability.

The horse industry's beef is with the "distinct advantages” tribal casinos enjoy over the three "racinos” regulated by the horse racing commission.

A law approved by state voters in 2004 limits Remington Park to 700 machines (750 beginning in 2010). Tribal casinos have no such restriction, nor are they prohibited from offering card games, as the racinos are. The racetrack casinos also have limited hours. Tribal casinos don't.

Horsemen agreed to those conditions in a deal that allowed expanded gambling options in tribal casinos.

More than 70 percent of Remington Park's purse money comes from its casino, according to the commission's letter. Better purses are possible because there is no tribal casino within 20 miles in either direction, the letter states.


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Related Topics: Sports, Special Interest Groups, Horse Racing, Gambling, Native American Issues


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Thats right, horseracing and casino's (don't forget the Lottery) it's all "for the children" NONE of the supposed schemes to "save" education have worked. NONE have come anywhere near what was promised. NONE
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jun 14, 2008 3:06 AM
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Anybody care to guess how much money Remington Park contributed to the state's education fund? $19 MILLION since the casino opened. How much would the Shawnee casino have to contribute? NOTHING.
Christa, Edmond - Jun 4, 2008 4:44 PM
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Hi Indianz...tribes aren't going after Remington Park (if they were wouldn't they open up a race track??) They certainly can try to find another place to build (but being landless themselves that makes it difficult to find a place that is in a good sized metro area and isn't within another tribes jurisdiction ("eating their own")
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jun 3, 2008 10:33 AM
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I don't like the Shawnee idea, because I don't think tribes should go after Remington Park. Casinos and horseracing are good for Oklahoma and Indian tribes, combined. Let's not start eating our own. The Shawnees can find another place to build one.
Indianz, Winnebago - Jun 2, 2008 6:13 PM
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Hi Candace, please read the article, the earlier article and the related links to the right of both, then maybe you will understand. If not mistaken, the land that would become the state of Oklahoma was basically split into 3 areas...there was the panhandle, Oklahoma Territory (O.T.) and Indian Territory (I.T.) the 2 territories were essentially divided diagonally roughly along the path of the turnpikes from Lawton to Tulsa. There was even an effort to turn us into two states (Indian Territory was to become the state of "Sequoyah"). That effort didn't get anywhere with Congress (partly because there wasn't a strong desire to create an "Indian" state and also, they didn't want to admit two states to the union which could throw off political balances at the time). But the experience the tribes had in drafting a constitution was of great help when the later attempt was made to create one state and "Oklahoma" was eventually born. Personally I think Remington Park should have to with stand "market forces" and let it succeed or fail on its own. But then again I thought that the horse racing part should have done the same thing (instead they are relying on the casino to prop up the race track). Remington does have a point in they have restrictions placed on them (by law) that the tribes casino won't have. Then on the other hand why should Remington have a monopoly for a 20 to 25 mile radius?? Tribes can open competing casinos (but they cant do it on each others "jurisdiction" (if those two casinos are built right on the dividing line, that's ok).
Larry, Oklahoma City - Jun 1, 2008 11:20 PM
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What is the big deal? There are a bunch of casinos in Las Vegas and it just helps business. Why give the American Indian Tribes so much hassle over one casino? Oklahoma was originally, called Indian Territory. I say give them their Casino and stop the nonsense!
Candace, Lakeland - Jun 1, 2008 7:37 PM
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Miguel, wrote: "There is no logical reason this tribe should not be allowed to build." One reason for the opposition given (you DID read this article and the earlier one, right?) was: "Fallin said she worries that the casino, if built, would create "a dangerous precedent.” The reason: The Shawnee Tribe is headquartered in Miami, OK, nearly 200 miles away, and has no historical ties to Oklahoma City, Fallin said. Tribes generally are required to build a casino on their own reservation, or in Oklahoma's case, within their jurisdictional area." The same "logical" reason stated in this article as well. Read. Comprehend. Learn. Understand.
Larry, Oklahoma City - May 31, 2008 11:30 PM
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Many of the "letters" against this (in a link from the earlier story on this) appear to be nothing but word-for-word form letters.
Larry, Oklahoma City - May 31, 2008 11:25 PM
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A bit ironic that a casino saved Remington Park and the horse industry in Oklahoma, now a casino could kill it...
Larry, Oklahoma City - May 31, 2008 11:22 PM
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HAHAHA Remington getting a piece of their own medicine. Plus their casino blows.
Ed Lova, Oklahoma City - May 31, 2008 7:50 PM
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There is no logical reason this tribe should not be allowed to build. I support their efforts. I do,however, question the motives of our "leaders. Perhaps, that is what this forum could facilitate... It is unusual that city, state, and local leaders suddenly want to stop growth and expansion. Did we not just vote to build an arena for people who are already quite wealthy, in the name of growth?
Miguel, Oklahoma City - May 31, 2008 2:05 PM
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Just level the playing field. Give Remington Park the same table games, more slot machines and longer hours. Then let the market place decide where the money goes. There is more than one way to haul gravel.
Raymond, Chesterfield - May 31, 2008 7:40 AM
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Whan, whan, whan, now who sounds like a bunch of cry babies? Come on Slick Mick why can't these guys build a casino and let the market decide who makes it in business. I think Okc is a city run by dictators who decide what business they give your tax money to or what business is not welcome because it serves no financial gain for the city leaders or their interest.
ALBERT, BETHANY - May 31, 2008 2:11 AM
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Free enterprise is whats it all about.Let them build a tribal casino and markets conditions decide. The tribe has not put money in the right pockets in OKC. Nothing in OKC gets done until money gets put in the pockets of the right people.
david, edmond - May 31, 2008 7:25 AM
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