OKLAHOMA
STATE OF PLAY Sheila Morago, executive director of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), sits with Carl Friedmann and calls for flexibility as tribal members confront legal and natural challenges in equal measure. Given the current situation in Oklahoma, especially with a surge in coronavirus cases in June, what are your immediate priorities at OIGA and how are you able to manage such a constant and unpredictable landscape? At OIGA, thankfully our priorities don’t waver, and they’re spelled out in our mission statement: The mission of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is to promote the general welfare of the Oklahoma Indian Tribes through the development of sound policies and practices with respect to the conduct of gaming enterprises in Indian Country. As a trade association, the purpose of OIGA is to educate and disseminate information to the tribal, federal and state governments, and the general public on issues relating to tribal government gaming. Now, the tactics and situations have certainly become more dynamic and focused over the past year, and between the ongoing compact dispute with Oklahoma’s governor and the extremely fluid situation created by COVID-19, I cannot think of a year that has required more flexibility. 44 GAMINGAMERICA
OIGA is fortunate to have very engaged leadership, who are able to meet via Zoom at a moment’s notice and work together to steady the ship as much as possible during these unprecedented times.
Is there a consensus among the OIGA membership of the best and safest way forward? Generally speaking, yes. The safest way forward for every Tribal Nation and every gaming facility is to do everything possible to reduce the possibility of infection for staff and guests, to identify and isolate any cases which occur, and to continue to sanitize and execute temporary closures when needed. Each facility uses slightly different combinations of tactics to achieve these goals, based on their size, entertainment offerings and so forth. Our operators and regulators have been working together to share their experiences so we're all working in the same direction. Every Tribal Nation shares the same priority: safety and health.
