Oklahoma has for a long time been synonymous with Bingo. That is because the Amerindian tribes of Oklahoma have provided Bingo sessions for many years. Guests from many of the surrounding states pile in trucks and head over to Oklahoma to bet on Bingo on the weekends.

The 1988 IGRA followed a benchmark ruling by The U.S. Supreme Court just the year before. Since that time, twenty three of the 39 Amerindian bands of Oklahoma have introduced gaming halls. The Chickasaw were the first Oklahoma American Indian tribes to take advantage of the betting restrictions, and today run 10 gambling halls of their own. Bingo was the game on which these gambling dens were founded. automated games such as slot machine games weren’t authorized, because they are thought to contribute to gambling dependency at a higher rate than bingo.

In recent years, Oklahoma governing edicts have altered to allow for enormous American Indian wagering gambling halls. You will now see Amerindian gambling dens with slots, video poker and blackjack tables. Craps and roulette are still not allowed in the Native gambling dens as of yet, however this is only a waiting game. No one can say whether having other casino games in the bingo parlors will do for the popularity of bingo.