February 19, 2016—Gambling may see an expansion in Oklahoma if the Osage Nation follows through on their proposed projects. The Osage Nation is thinking about building to new casinos. The Osage Nation Congress passed a resolution in January allowing the tribe to file applications. These applications are for land that will be turned into trusts. If the proposal is approved the land could be used for gambling.
One plot of land is close to Bartlesville, around the Bartlesville Municipal Airport. The other location is in Pawhuska. Tribe officials have not confirmed if the properties will be for gambling; however, the Resolution Number ONCR 16-10 indicates the property will be used for “gaming.”
The Osage Nation Congress also directed the tribe to seek trust states for additional properties, up to three of them. One of the plots of land is in Tulsa and adjacent to the Osage Casino. The other is in Skiatook close to another tribal casino. The filing for this request indicates the land would not be used for gaming. Supposition based on the location of those two land locations is that the casinos may gain hotels.
Currently the Osage Nation has seven gambling locations in Oklahoma. Two more would increase their reach into the northeastern section of the state. It will be a while before any construction can occur at any of the sites, if they will be used for gaming locations. State laws and gambling licenses would need to be approved before any action could be taken.
For now, the news indicates the Osage Nation is looking towards the future and possible expansion of their casinos in the state. Competition could make it difficult to expand or the sudden interest in expansion could bring in new competition. At this point, all that can be said is the land could be used for “gaming.”