APRIL 21, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association chairman Matthew L. Morgan responds to ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, COMANCHE NATION AND OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE REGARDING PROPOSED COMPACTS

“We respect the sovereignty of each Tribe to take what actions it believes it must on behalf of its citizens.

All the same, Governor Stitt does not have the authority to do what he claims to have done today. Without the engagement of the Oklahoma Legislature, he has entered agreements based on a claim of unilateral State authority to legalize sportsbook, to revamp the Oklahoma Lottery, and to authorize new gaming facilities in Norman and Stillwater, among other places. That’s simply not the law.

I expect Tribal and State officials are now reviewing the documents he released today and trying to understand what exactly it is Governor Stitt is trying to do. But at the end of the day, I suspect his actions have not helped matters for anyone.”