UK authorities sign gaming agreement with Oklahoma, aiming to re-enter the tribal casino sector
Breaking News: May 12, 2025, 02:34h.Last updated: May 12, 2025, 03:22h.
Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilcRead MoreGaming BusinessRegulationTribal Gaming UKB dashes back into the gaming scene after a decade-long hiatus*
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) is making waves in Oklahoma's gaming industry, kicking off a fresh chapter in their Casino saga following a tumultuous decade.
In a dramatic turn of events, the tribe sealed the deal on a Model Tribal Gaming Compact with the state of Oklahoma on April 29—just days after the federal government gave the green light to revamp their outdated gaming laws.
The potential gaming venture, pending final approval from the US Department of the Interior (DOI), douses years of legal woes and lingering tribal beefs, marking the dawn of a new era for the gaming-hungry tribe.
Mudslinging Match
The UKB and the Cherokee Nation—Oklahoma's biggest tribal powerhouse—have been locked in a land-grab battle longer than most marriages! Both tribes can trace their roots to the historic Cherokee people and share the picturesque town of Tahlequah as their epicenter. However, their similarities stop there.
The Cherokee Nation, with its network of ten casinos stretching throughout northeastern Oklahoma, isn't too keen on the UKB's return to the gaming scene.
The feud reached boiling point in 2013 when the UKB's casino was shuttered following a lawsuit from the Cherokee Nation and pressure from state and federal authorities. At the heart of the dispute was the UKB's lack of federally recognized trust land—a crucial prerequisite for tribal gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
But in 2011, the wheels began turning in the UKB's favor when the DOI agreed to take a 76-acre plot into trust for the tribe. The Cherokee Nation's attempts to block the move was denied by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2019.
The tables turned in January 2025, when the DOI declared the UKB was a legitimate successor to the historic Cherokee Nation, bolstering the tribe's claim to sovereignty and paving the way for gaming development.
Road to Redemption
"This agreement symbolizes our unwavering determination over the years. It signifies a significant turning point for the Keetoowah People," said UKB Chief Jeff Wacoche. "Gaming isn't just about cashing in—it's about reclaiming self-determination, job creation, and bettering the lives of our members."
The tribe has thrown itself into development planning, aiming to move forward in a responsible and transparent manner.
Standoff at the Border
Despite the DOI's nod, the Cherokee Nation refuses to back down. Cherokee Nation Attorney General Chad Harsha told Tulsa NBC affiliate KTUL that "[the UKB] does not have jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation Reservation." He insists that the UKB's previous casino failed to comply with federal law, and that their latest attempt at amending their outdated gaming rules will not grant them authority for gaming operations within the Cherokee Nation's jurisdiction.
The UKB's long-awaited comeback has stirred up dust and debate, but one thing's clear: exciting times are ahead for Oklahoma's gaming landscape, as the Keetoowah tribe gets ready to roll the dice!
The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, following a decade of absence, is set to reenter Oklahoma's gaming industry with the Keetoowah Casino, engaging in Class III gaming under the Model Tribal Gaming Compact with the state of Oklahoma. This potential venture, subject to final approval from the US Department of the Interior, marks the end of years-long legal disputes with the Cherokee Nation, closely related to the UKB and known for their extensive casino network in northeastern Oklahoma. The Cherokee Nation, however, continues to contest the UKB's jurisdiction over their territory, claiming the UKB's gaming operations contradict federal law.
