from today's NewsOK.com
‘Our own little Vegas'
By Tony Thornton
Staff Writer
"DEVOL — When the Kiowa Tribe re-enters the gambling industry today after a seven-year absence, don't expect much worrying by the Comanche Nation, which owns a nearby casino.
Common sense would suggest competition would dilute customers and profits. The Comanches don't see it that way.
"We're looking at that as our own little Vegas down there,” said Georgia Gibson of the Comanche gaming board.
The Kiowa Red River Casino and the Comanche Red River Casino are within a mile of each other on State Highway 36, roughly two miles north of the Texas border and within a minute of Interstate 44.
The location, drawing heavily on the Wichita Falls market, has the Apache Tribe considering the purchase of a tribe member's allotment land, Gibson said. That would create the largest concentration of Oklahoma casinos outside Miami in the state's northeast corner." ...
"The 63,000-square-foot casino features nearly 1,000 slot machines, 20 poker and blackjack tables, a 200-seat buffet and a sports bar.
Back in good graces
For the Kiowa Tribe, the casino represents a chance to emerge from decades of poverty. It also provides a second chance in the gaming industry.
The National Indian Gaming Commission closed the Kiowas' casino in Carnegie in June 2000 because the tribe repeatedly operated Class III slot machines. At the time, only Class II games, based on bingo, were allowed in Oklahoma." ...
"According to literature distributed to Kiowa members, the tribe would get $5.6 million if first-year revenue reaches $69 million, or $31.2 million if revenue reaches $101 million.
Tribal officials expect the casino will employ 575 people. "
for the complete story see: http://www.newsok.com/article/3057467
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