Governor Kevin Stitt’s proposed version of the tribal gaming compact would increase exclusivity fees from 6% to 13%. It’s not good for our tribe or really any of the other tribes.”ĬAUGHT ON CAMERA: Inside look at mass street racing arrests of over 100 people in OKC We have absolutely no interest in the structure of the compacts he’s put out there. Any ideas of gaming compacts he’s presented are completely off the table for us. “We were basically told that we couldn’t do that project for the exit without signing a new compact.
“That was the point in time when we started having issues with the governor over the gaming compacts,” added Keyes. He said the pandemic also hindered construction. However, the Governor’s office shot down that idea in 2019, according to Keyes. Keyes said the initial idea was to construct an exit ramp off the Turner Turnpike, which would have be fully funded by the Iowa Nation. “That makes it a little bit of a hassle,” stated Keyes. Right now, to get to the Ioway Casino, guests have to take a five mile detour off the Turner Turnpike and through Wellston. With such a big vision comes a wrench of a problem. The Iowa Nation would fully fund the new casino and hotel, said Keyes.
Iowa Nation Chairman, Jacob Keyes, told KFOR the plan is to begin construction in April 2024 and have the casino open by mid-2026.
