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Oklahoma Casino Taxes Unpaid

OKLAHOMA – As reported by the Some counties may be missing out on thousands of tax dollars a year from gambling machine companies that supply Oklahoma's American Indian casinos.

"Additionally, the state could be receiving more than $900,000 a year in annual vending machine permit fees from those same companies.

"Here's the rub: Although some companies are paying their taxes, neither the state nor the counties can require compliance.

"'Welcome to Indian tax law,' said Tony Mastin, head of policy and research for the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

"…With virtually no exceptions, the machines in Oklahoma's 82 Indian- owned gaming centers are owned by private companies and leased by the tribes.

"That arrangement makes the machines taxable, Mastin said.

"However, enforcing the law is another story.

"…A telephone survey of several counties found few machine vendors remitting tax payments.

"…Tax commission officials and tribe attorneys say the state would be hard- pressed to collect…"

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