Oklahoma has for a long time been synonymous with Bingo. This is owing to the fact that the Amerindian bands of Oklahoma have provided Bingo sessions for decades. Guests from many of the nearby states pile in automobiles and travel into Oklahoma to enjoy Bingo for the weekends.
The 1988 (IGRA) Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was introduced after a landmark ruling by The U.S. Supreme Court the year prior. From that time, 23 of the 39 Indian tribes of Oklahoma have established gaming halls. The Chickasaw were the first Oklahoma Indian band to take advantage of the gambling rules, and today control 10 gambling dens of their own. Bingo is the game on which these casinos were founded. Electronic games like one armed bandits were not approved, due to the fact that they are believed to contribute to gambling addiction at a higher rate than bingo.
In recent years, Oklahoma rules has altered to allow for large Indian wagering gambling halls. You will now find Indian gambling dens with slots, video poker and chemin de fer tables. Craps and roulette are still not authorized in the Amerindian casinos yet, however this is just a waiting game. Nobody can say with whether having different gambling den games in the bingo parlours will do for the popularity of bingo.