10 Questions
with Brian Foster
Chairman, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association

Brian Foster is Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) and General Manager of the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, OK. OIGA operates as an educational, legislative and public policy resource for tribes, policymakers and the public on Indian gaming issues and tribal community development, as well as protects Indian sovereign governmental authority.

Q1
Who are members of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association?
We have 27 out of Oklahoma’s 39 tribes as members but we also have the support of over 200 gaming vendors. Visit the OIGA’s website at www.okindiangaming.org.

Q2
What kind of gaming does Oklahoma offer?
Oklahoma offers Class II and Class III gaming with a range of games — even video poker machines. We also have table games and live poker rooms in most casinos.

Q3
What do Oklahoma casinos offer besides gaming?
Concerts, dining, boxing, mixed martial arts competitions. Lucky Star Casino holds the cable record for viewers in L.A. and San Antonio for a boxing event that was televised.

Q4
How do casinos accommodate large groups—tourists, parties, etc?
Normally, casinos provide a charter bus for groups of forty or more. These are mainly new players for the Players Club!

Q5
Do I need to bring a lot of money to play? $20, $50, $100, $100+?
Not really, most casinos have ATM machines and check cashing. Any of the gaming machines are fun and easy to play for a first time visit. Poker and Blackjack table games are a little more complicated, but fun because you are at the same table with other players.

Q6
What is the largest payout you have ever witnessed?
I have seen three separate One Million dollar pay outs at the Lucky Star!!!

Q7
Do you think the gaming in the racetracks will detract from Indian casinos?
Not at all! Remington is centrally located, but two out of three tracks in Oklahoma are tribal owned. The Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw is owned by the Choctaw Nation and Will Rogers Downs in Claremore is owned by the Cherokee Nation.

Q8
Where do you see changes in casinos for Oklahoma?
I see better developed properties, meaning properties as a travel destination in tribal owned properties. Every major city has at least five casinos within a 30 to 40 minute drive.

Q9
How can OIGA secure the future of Class II gaming in Oklahoma?
Right now we are looking at how the California tribes organized their efforts. We are also working closely with the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) on effective ways to disseminate this information to the Oklahoma industry so everyone is fully aware of the specifics involved in this issue.

Q10
What is NIGA and how does it differ from OIGA?
NIGA is located in Washington, D.C. NIGA helps lobby gaming issues on a national level. Visit their website at www.indiangaming.org.