The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) has taken a significant step toward reopening its tribal casino in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has officially ratified the UKB’s Gaming Code, establishing the legal framework for the tribe’s gaming operations if the federal government places its Tahlequah land into trust.
Background
The Keetoowah Cherokee Casino, which operated from 1986, was closed in 2013 following a lawsuit by the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation claimed the UKB had no legal right to the 2.03-acre site, asserting that the land fell within its sovereign territory. Both tribes trace their ancestry to the Old Cherokee Nation, which occupied much of Oklahoma before its dissolution in 1907 when Oklahoma became a state.
Prior to the casino’s closure, the Cherokee Nation offered to place the property into federal trust and lease it to the UKB for 99 years. The UKB declined, maintaining its ancestral ties to Tahlequah.
Legal Developments
After years of legal disputes, the UKB achieved a major victory in January when the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) recognized the tribe as an equal successor to the Old Cherokee Nation alongside the Cherokee Nation. This recognition grants the UKB the same legal rights to have its lands placed into federal trust.
Federal trust lands qualify for Class I and II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). For Class III gaming, such as slot machines and live-dealer table games, tribes must negotiate compacts with their host states. The UKB entered into such a compact with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in 2020.
On April 14, the NIGC approved the 2025 UKB Gaming Code, which incorporates updates to NIGC regulations and other necessary revisions. Acting NIGC Chair Sharon Avery stated, “The 2025 UKB Gaming Code is consistent with the requirements of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC regulations and is hereby approved.”
Next Steps
With the Gaming Code approved, the UKB now awaits the DOI’s decision on its land-into-trust application. If approved, the tribe plans to invest in a new casino on the site.
Economic Impact
The UKB’s Class III gaming compact requires the tribe to allocate 12% to 15% of its gross revenue from slot machines to the state, depending on annual earnings. Additionally, 18% of gross revenue from table games must be directed to Oklahoma City. Sports betting remains prohibited in the state.
The tribe’s economy is currently supported by its fully owned Keetoowah Construction, Inc., and the reopening of the casino is expected to provide significant economic benefits to the UKB and the surrounding community.
