Oklahoma has for a long time been synonymous with Bingo. This is because the Indian tribes of Oklahoma have operated Bingo games for years. Guests from every one of the neighboring states pile in vans and travel to Oklahoma to play Bingo over the weekends.
The 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act became law after a precedent setting determination by The U.S. Supreme Court the year prior. From that time, 23 of the 39 Indian bands of Oklahoma have introduced bingo halls. The Chickasaw were the first Oklahoma American Indian band to take advantage of the gambling rules, and today operate 10 gambling dens of their very own. Bingo is the game on which these gambling halls were built on. Electronic games such as slot machines were not allowed, because they’re thought to lead to gambling problems more than bingo.
In the past few years, Oklahoma rules have altered to allow for large Native wagering casinos. You’ll now see Indian casinos with slots, video poker and black jack tables. Craps and roulette are not authorized in the Indian gambling dens yet, although this is simply a waiting game. No one can determine what having other games in the bingo houses will do for the appeal of bingo.