One of Brad Henry’s main campaign issues in 2002 was enacting a state lottery and, after being elected Governor, he made the lottery a priority in the 2003 legislative session. The legislature approved a lottery proposal to be put on the 2004 general election ballot. State Questions 705, which set up a lottery commission, and 706, which created a lottery trust fund, were both passed by voters. The lottery then began in Oklahoma in 2005.

Also at Brad Henry’s urging, the legislature placed on the 2004 ballot a proposal to allow American Indian tribes to enter compacts with the state so they could provide additional types of gambling. The tribal-state compact allowed eligible tribes to pay a monthly exclusivity fee to the state in exchange for the exclusive right to operate Class III gaming services, which includes Las Vegas-style slot machines and card games. The state question also set up provisions for a limited number of licensed racetracks to […] → Keep reading