TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER
TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER
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Poker and blackjack play expected to begin in a few days |
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Paperwork holds up expansion A paperwork delay in Washington, D.C. is being blamed for a delay in the start of Texas Holdem poker and blackjack card games at an Oklahoma Indian casino, but tribal officials say the games should begin in the next few days. David Stewart, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Enterprises, said the card games are expected to be in operation at the Cherokee Nation Casino Resort by the middle of next week. The poker and blackjack play has been approved by the Interior Department and was expected to start by this weekend. But the paperwork moved slower than expected, and the Interior Department's approval has yet to be printed in the federal register _ a must to give the games the green light, Stewart said. Stewart said the addition of poker and blackjack gaming is the latest step in the Cherokee Nation Casino Resort in developing into a major gaming and entertainment destination for Tulsa and area communities. Stewart said the expanded casino complex has what is known as a ``niche market that combines gaming, conference facilities, rooms and good food all at the same location.'' ``That is unique to Tulsa,'' Stewart said. The Cherokee Nation has casinos at Catoosa, Roland and West Siloam Springs. When the new gaming becomes a reality in a matter of days, the Cherokee casino at Catoosa will be waiting on card players with about 70 tables for poker and blackjack action. There also will be a VIP room for high rollers who have the wallets to play such games as high-stakes blackjack or no-limit Texas Holdem poker. The card games are allowed through a compact with the state of Oklahoma, which was approved by voters in a November election. The casino games at Catoosa are played 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to filling an ``entertainment'' gap, the opening up of the card games also will have an economic impact, Stewart said. The tribe, which has been training card dealers, already has hired an estimated 100 people and has plans to bring on another 200 or so as the games at Catoosa pick up and the card games are started at Roland and West Siloam Springs in a few weeks. The tribe's $80 million gaming facility at Catoosa includes the gaming center, a luxury 150-room hotel with swimming pool and a golf course. The Catoosa casino opened in 1992. At its three casinos, Stewart said, Cherokee Nation Enterprises has about 1,800 employees. Another 200 to 300 work on the corporate side. |
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