I work in this industry. The current compact has specific markers (number of machines, revenue earned, taxes collected, etc.) that if met by 12/31/19, clearly states that the compact auto-renews. The language is pretty simple. All this talk about bringing the tax % in line with other states is mostly comparing OK to non-tribal gaming states rates. The only non-tribal gaming in the state is at Remington Park and Will Rogers Downs (regulated by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission), where the state already takes 50%. Of all taxes collected by the state from gaming revenue, 90% is paid by only four tribes. These tribes have already stated that they'd be willing to sit down and renegotiate tax rates, but the Gov's position is that they want to renegotiate the compact itself and would not meet with the tribes. A federal lawsuit has been filed by these tribes, so we'll see where it goes. I've read the compact, and I feel (although I'm not unbiased) that the tribe's position is much stronger than the state's. If push comes to shove, the tribes can convert their gaming floors to Class II machines, and the state wouldn't earn a single penny.
