Oklahoma Casino Guide
Facts About Gambling & Online Casinos in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is packed with tribal casinos and racinos. If you want to gamble in a land-based casino in Oklahoma, you’re not going to have to travel too far. In addition, a number of U.S.-friendly online casinos welcome players from Oklahoma, so you don’t always have to leave your home to gamble. Read on to discover Oklahoma’s past, present, and future of gambling.
History of Gambling in Oklahoma
In a state with so many tribal casinos, it’s fitting that the origins of gambling in Oklahoma date back to the Native Americans. After hunting buffalos was made illegal in the late-1800s, many tribal members accepted work hauling freight. They also received rent payments for allowing cattle companies to use parts of their reservations. With all of this money, they soon joined the settlers and gambled in area saloons.
Horse betting was the first form of gambling to become legal. Ten years later, in the 1990s, raffles and Bingo were legalized. This came at the same time that the federal government granted tribes permission to build casinos on their land if they formed a compact with the state. Soon, tribal casinos dotted the landscape, even though Oklahoma’s government was not in agreement. When courts ruled in favor of the Native Americans more often than naught, Oklahoma quickly began to negotiate contracts. By 2002, class 3 casino games (video poker-type games) were legalized.
Age Restrictions for Gambling in Oklahoma
There is not much to remember about the age limit for gambling in Oklahoma. As long as you’re 18, you can buy lottery tickets, bet on the ponies, or play slots and table games in land-based casinos. Before you play in online casinos that allow Oklahoma residents, make sure they do not require you to be 21.
Oklahoma’s Casino Gambling Outlook
Whether online casinos in Oklahoma are in the near future has yet to be seen. It’s probably unlikely after the arrest of dozens of people who operated illegal online gambling sites. Three of these men operated the illegal sports betting site from the U.S., though the site was registered in Panama. In May 2015, all three men were convicted of operating an illegal gambling service and laundering money in a federal court in Oklahoma. More than 20 additional companies were also indicted in this bust.
For now, players will likely have to stick to casinos that can legally operate within the United States or one of the many land-based casinos in Oklahoma.
Local Casinos
There is practically a casino on every corner in Oklahoma. In fact, the state has close to five dozen casinos. Here are some of the popular casinos in Oklahoma:
Buffalo Run Casino & Resort – Head to Buffalo Run and try your luck on any of the electronic gambling machines. With more than 1,200 of them, you’re certain to find your favorites. The Oklahoma casinos also has a poker room and Blackjack pit.
Choctaw Casino Resort Durant – Choctaw Casino Resort offers a stunning resort property with a spa, restaurants, entertainment, and, of course, the casino that draws hundreds of players each month. You’ll find more than 3,500 video slot machines, a poker room, racebook, and table games in this establishment.
WinStar World Casino and Resort – Home to a Toby Keith I Love This Bar & Grill, WinStar is also home to a huge casino with Bingo, table games, and a poker room where tournaments are frequently held. There are more than 7,400 slots and even off-track betting, too.