Oklahoma State Question 672, Casino Gambling Amendment (February 1998)

Oklahoma State Question 672
Election date February 10, 1998
Topic Gambling policy
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Oklahoma State Question 672 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oklahoma on February 10, 1998. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported legalizing gambling, allowing limited gambling facilities, permitting tribal casinos, enforcing gambling debts, and using gambling taxes for regulation, education, prisons, and local governments.

A "no" vote opposed legalizing gambling, allowing limited gambling facilities, permitting tribal casinos, enforcing gambling debts, and using gambling taxes for regulation, education, prisons, and local governments.

Election results

Oklahoma State Question 672
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		138,030	31.17%
No		304,756	68.83%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for State Question 672 was as follows:

“

This measure adds a new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution. The new Article deals with gambling. The new Article legalizes: a. Slot machines and roulette, b. Craps, keno and video gambling, c. All gambling played with cards, dice, mechanical devices or computers, and d. Other forms of gambling. For the first five years there could only be four non-Indian gambling facilities. Those facilities are: 1. Remington Park Racetrack, 2. Blue Ribbon Downs Racetrack, 3. A facility in Tulsa, and 4. A facility in Love County. An appointed Commission would regulate and license this gambling. After five years, other gambling facilities could be licensed. There could not be more than one facility in any county. Gambling facilities would have to meet minimum standards. The measure would allow Indian tribes to request an agreement to operate a gambling casino. The measure makes gambling debts incurred at authorized casinos legal and enforceable. State taxes on the new gambling would fund the Commission, and help education and prisons. Some tax funds would go to local governments where State licensed gambling is conducted.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Oklahoma Constitution

A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oklahoma State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Oklahoma State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

See also

1998 Measures

• 1998 Measures
• Gambling policy on the ballot
• 1998 legislative sessions

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma ballot measures
• Oklahoma ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Oklahoma State Questions