Legal Gambling Age In Oklahoma Casinos
Oklahoma is just 45 minutes of where I sit in my home office as I write this post. Just over the Texas border, with Oklahoma is the world’s largest casino, WinStar.
WinStar is probably the most well-known casino in Oklahoma, which is itself a newcomer to the American casino scene.
But it’s not a a gambling destination to overlook when you’re planning your next casino vacation.
- Minimum Legal Gambling Age by State. Legal gambling ages across the US vary, with states setting the minimum age at either 18 or 21. This can however change depending on the type of gambling, as.
- Legal Gambling Age in Oklahoma The minimum age to participate in any form of legal gambling within this state is 18.
The History of Gambling in Oklahoma
Gambling in Oklahoma has a recent history.
The legal gambling age at Win River casino located in California, is 18 and over. In California the minimum age is 18 however, some casinos there allow players starting at age 21. Minimum Legal Gambling Age by State. Legal gambling ages across the US vary, with states setting the minimum age at either 18 or 21. This can however change depending on the type of gambling, as.
The Sooner State made horse racing legal in 1982. Compared to Nevada, Oklahoma was late to the gambling party. Nevada legalized gambling in 1949.
Oklahoma would wait another 10 years before making it legal to play bingo for money. If your grandma won money playing bingo before 1992 in OK, it was probably under the table.
In 2003, Oklahoma would legalize the lottery. This was in keeping with a nationwide trend of setting up state-run lotteries. People were driving across state lines to play the lottery.
Oklahoma saw this as a lost revenue opportunity and created their own lottery commission. Now, instead of their residents traveling to Texas to buy tickets, they could spend their lottery dollars in their home state.
Here’s a side note:
Casinos became legal the same year that lotteries became legal. 2004 was a big year for the Sooner State. There are quite a few requirements for casinos in Oklahoma. I will get into that shortly. All casinos in Oklahoma are required to be located and operated by native tribes.
Laws Surrounding Casinos in Oklahoma
Here are the basic gambling/ casino rules for the state of Oklahoma:
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in Oklahoma?
18-21. The age range depends on the casino. Make sure to check the age requirements before visiting any Oklahoma casino.
Can Anyone Open a Casino?
No. The state mandated that the casinos in Oklahoma must be located on native lands and run by native tribes. This mandate is spelled out that native tribes have an exclusivity agreement with the state and pay 4-10% tax for this agreement.
Native tribes were the primary operators of horse tracks and most of the state’s bingo halls. Once the state legalized casinos, the native tribe racetracks and bingo halls converted to casinos.
Pay close attention to this story as it unfolds. This could be a huge shift in native lands casinos in this country. Oklahoma Governor Stitt has filed a lawsuit to halt operation of native casinos in his state.
Is There Anything Else I Need to Know About Oklahoma Gambling Laws?
Yes, there are a few quirks to Oklahoma’s gambling laws.
The first quirky law every casino has in common – there are ante requirements for all casino games. The ante varies depending on the game. Blackjack tables have a 50-cent ante, and craps and roulette tables have a $1.00 ante. It’s weird, but it’s also part of playing table games in the state.
Best Three Casinos to Visit in Oklahoma
This is my list of my favorite casinos and casino resorts to visit in the Sooner State. They are in no particular order. Some of the casinos you’ve heard of and some of the casinos are off the beaten path.
WinStar – Thackerville, OK
Let’s get this one off the table. WinStar is Oklahoma’s, America’s, and the World’s largest casino. WInStar is owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation.
This truly mega casino opened its doors as the WinStar Casino the same year that Oklahoma legalized gambling in casinos. 2004 was a game changer for the native tribe gambling establishments.
WinStar renamed itself as the WinStar Word Casino and Resort in 2013. This same year it beat out Foxwoods Casino, a native lands casino in CT, as the largest casino in the world.
WInStar boasts 370,00 square feet with a poker room made up of 55 tables, over 8,500 gaming machines, over 100 gambling tables, keno, and a high roller suite.
If you’re looking for entertainment options, WInStar is home to the Global Events Center, a concert venue that has over 3,500 seats. Famous acts make tour stops on a regular basis.
I was able to see one of my favorite TV actors, Jerry Seinfeld, do his standup act there in the summer of 2019.
If you’re a foodie like my husband and I, you’ll be looking for dining options. WinStar World Casino and Resort offers options for all tastes and budget options.
Wanting a classic steak house experience?
Check.
Want a quick bite to soak up last night’s revelries before hitting the casino floor?
Check.
Your kid only eats spaghetti?
They’ve got Italian food too.
Don’t forget that WinStar also had its own PGA designed golf course. If you’re a fan of the Netflix hit documentary, Tiger King, it’s just a short drive to visit Joe Exotic’s former zoo.
WinStar is unique in its size and location. It’s just over an hour drive from the Dalls-Fort Worth Metroplex, one of the largest cities in America. This also makes traveling to the mega casino resort a breeze.
If you’re new to gambling in Oklahoma casinos, then WInStar World Casino and Resort is a great place to start.
Don’t get lost, though.
My son’s college roommate was there for a bachelor party and was lost for four hours. With a dead phone. And a little tipsy.
You’ve been warned.
Choctaw Casino and Resort – Durant, OK
Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant, OK is the flagship location of the Choctaw Nation’s chain of casinos and resorts. The Durant location is located on 50 acres belonging to the Choctaw Nation.
As required by Oklahoma gaming laws, Choctaw properties are managed and owned by the tribal nation. The profits go to improvement projects for the native nation.
The Durant casino and resort has a 218,884 sq. Foot casino floor. You can play one of the over 4,800 gaming machines, place a bet (with an ante of course) at any of the over 80 table games. Choctaw Durant also offers a horse racing sportsbook.
There are a variety of dining and entertainment options. The resort features multiple pools with cabanas that can be reserved.
Are you thinking of making it a family trip?
The resort offers bowling, shopping, a movie theater, and an arcade.
The Choctaw Casino and Resort is a great option for families that are looking for a a family getaway with adult gambling and entertainment options.
Just like WinStar, Choctaw Durant is only a 1.5-hour drive from DFW airport.
Artesian Hotel Casino – Sulphur, OK
The high-end experience at Artesian Hotel Casino is a fantastic option for an adult-only weekend getaway. Located in Sulphur, OK, the casino and hotel is owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation as per Oklahoma gaming laws.
The Artesian is much smaller than the other two casinos resorts on my list. The boutique hotel and casino opened April 2013. The casino floor is 15,000 square feet of gaming featuring high roller rooms, baccarat, blackjack, and poker.
Artesian Hotel Casino is an excellent romantic weekend getaway option. You can book a spa day, like my husband did for our 25th wedding anniversary, at their award-winning spa, the SOLE’SERNITY.
Their dining options are reminiscent of country club offerings with a flushed-out wine list. The three dining establishment offer everything from a gourmet eggs benedict to a house-aged rib eye. My personal favorite drink offering is the Tennessee Fir Mule at the Fountain Club.
The hotel rooms are splendid with décor. The rooms range in size and amenities. They remind me of a less loud version of the W Chicago.
Much like the other two casino resorts on this list, this hotel and casino is a short drive from DFW airport, clocking in at about 2 hours. For me, a spa and gambling getaway is worth the slightly longer drive.
Conclusion
I hope you have better grasp of the casino offering from Oklahoma’s diverse gaming industry. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what Oklahoma’s gambling landscape has to offer.
There are 60 casinos in Oklahoma. All of them are owned and managed by native tribes. The fact that the tribes redistribute the profits to improvements within their communities is a feel-good win for me as well.
I would love to hear your feedback and questions. Leave a comment below.
If there is a state in the US that can successfully be representative of the betting expansion movement that took off in the last decade or so, this case study is sure to be based on the Oklahoma casinos. There were also some very interesting developments on the stage of online gambling in Oklahoma, as well. The idea of inaugurating the first Oklahoma online casinos has been very close to becoming a reality, and although it was put on pause for a while, it still remains an option just waiting to happen. The situation is similar to other USA gambling states.
Best Online Casino Sites for Oklahoma
Casino | Bonus | Website | Rating | Features | Deposit |
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1 | $2000 | 109 voted Review |
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2 | $12250 | 356 voted Review |
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3 | $12000 | 149 voted Review |
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4 | $2500 | 490 voted Review |
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5 | $1000 | 455 voted Review |
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6 | $7777 | 379 voted Review |
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7 | $3000 | 114 voted Review |
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8 | $800 | 491 voted Review |
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9 | $4000 | 493 voted Review |
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10 | $5000 | 205 voted Review |
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Contents
Legal Gambling Age In Oklahoma Casinos Slot Machines
Oklahoma Gambling Laws
The main oddity of Oklahoma gambling laws consists of their tardiness, being one of the last states to regulate any form of wagering. It was only in 1982 that betting on horse races became legit. Ten years later, bingo and raffles became a hit statewide, but still long after the majority of states allowed it.
Online Casinos In Oklahoma: Are Casino Sites Legal In OK 2020?
Despite the slow start, gambling in Oklahoma became a widespread phenomenon after the 2004 bill. Hence, the number of compacts signed between authorities and Native Americans, for the inauguration of Oklahoma casinos, grew alarmingly fast, to a high point of around 100 such establishments.
The same delay typical for this state’s wagering legislation happened for the instatement of the lottery, which was put in place only in 2004. But nowadays, the focus clearly remains on the numerous gambling casinos in Oklahoma.
The spread of these venues across the state is covering all places, is hard to not find one nearby. This is one of the main reasons that online betting hasn’t become quite popular. The widespread also helps to cover all the business opportunities, including customers from neighbouring states. The casinos in eastern Oklahoma are very popular with Arkansas residents, while the southern ones are also oriented towards the Texan high-rollers. For example, the Choctaw casino slot machines are available in five different locations, trying to cover all bases.
Another peculiarity refers to the legal gambling age in Oklahoma. The official minimum age is situated between 18 and 21 years old, giving each casino the possibility of choice. Some opt for the low limit of 18, this being the Winstar Casino or the Choctaw casino gambling age. Others have a different approach. For example, the Downstream Casino gambling age is of 18 for playing the games, but of over 21 for serving alcoholic drinks.
Oklahoma Online Gambling
The possibility to play in state-regulated online venues is one of the lacks of Oklahoma gambling scene. Of course that the first point to take into account is the convenience for the appearance of more competitors, given the already high number of casinos in Oklahoma. On that matter, 2016 found one of the tribe’s initiatives to launch an online poker site, is supported by the state lawmakers. This online poker site was destined only for off-shore players, though, trying to get extra income from outside the state. The initiative didn’t go through after all, but it’s still in the waiting, and it’s definitely an interesting alternative as far as online options go.
On the other hand, even though Oklahoma online casinos aren’t prospects in the near future, residents can still play online at the off-shore based establishments as Bovada which is legal in Oklahoma. When browsing to the list of online venues that accept US players, perhaps take into account the following aspects:
- The licenses should belong to jurisdictions which allow this sort of activities
- The security measures should be functional and only the updated versions
- They should offer access to the latest online games, with a wide variety, the way RealTime Gaming casinos offers, for example
- The accepted means for depositing and withdrawing money should adhere to the highest security requirements, and even though these actions need more time, safety should always come first
- These online sites have to be found on the list of reviewed venues, by users who see that all of the above are respected
- Top 1 USA online casino
- Fast payouts
Offline Gambling in Oklahoma
Land-based Casinos
Besides the impressive number of casinos Oklahoma has to offer, there are other aspects to consider as well. For one, up until 2018 dice and roulette were not allowed anywhere in the state, not even in the numerous tribal establishments. They only had to offer Oklahoma slots and table with card games. Nowadays, Choctaw Casino roulette is available, or Tonkawa Hotel and Casino craps can be played.
Between the almost one hundred establishments available in OK state, there were bound to be some spectacular ones. For instance, Winstar World Casino and Resort is the largest or second largest casino in the world, going neck to neck with the Venetian from Macao. Choctaw Casino near Oklahoma City is the second largest of the state, while the Chickasaw tribe has no less than 21 casinos in its property.
Charitable
The history of gambling in OK really started once the charitable wagering has been legally put in place. Most current resorts have started as bingo halls or raffle locations, before becoming the actual facilities. Some bingo focused places still exist, but they can’t really compete with the giant businesses.
Lottery
In 2004, after a whole bunch of locations has appeared statewide, it might have seemed that the appetite for gambling Oklahoma was diminished. However, after a massive vote on behalf of the population in favor, the state lottery has been created. Now, the multi-state versions are also available across the state.
Future Expectations
It’s hard to find more permissive legislation than the Oklahoma gambling laws. Even though it had a slow start, the gambling market witnessed a never seen before expansion. At the moment, with almost 100 locations, a plan for further development has been recently dismissed.
On the other hand, Oklahoma online gambling remains an option just waiting to get started, with the tribal initiative of creating an online poker site being put to safe-keeping for the moment, although not completely brushed aside.
You Might Also be Interested in:
TX online casinos
New Mexico state online casinos
Colorado state online casinos
MO online casinos
Kansas online casinos
AR online casinos
Is gambling legal in Oklahoma?
Yes. Gambling in Oklahoma is not only legal but is a few steps short of actually being encouraged. The number of active locations statewide is astounding. Possibly the largest venue of sorts is found here, the Winstar Casino, at the southern border with Texas. Also, Choctaw Casino Oklahoma City, the second largest establishment of the state, is also an impressive resort. Other forms of betting are also allowed: lottery, bingo or raffles.
What is the actual legal gambling age in Oklahoma?
There seems to be some vagueness about the Oklahoma gambling age, seeing how there isn’t a clear limit set for every casino, but rather each of the venues from the list of Oklahoma casinos has the right to set its own minimum limit. Mostly, it depends on whether or not they serve alcohol or not. Even so, 18 is the gambling age at Winstar Casino in Oklahoma, the same as the Choctaw gambling age, these being the two largest venues in OK state.
Is online gambling in OK allowed?
On this matter, the Oklahoma casino laws offer two options:
- The social casinos which offer demos of their table games, free of charge, in a smart marketing move, thus getting players accustomed with their games. For example, as long as the Winstar Casino gambling age requirement is met, the largest state casino offers an online platform for anyone willing to play.
- The off-shore based sites compensate for the lack of options for online gambling Oklahoma. Simply take great care at the sites to access, the safest way of choosing is to follow the list of approved and recommended sites that we offer.
Do I risk not getting my money out of these off-shore online venues?
The fact that the online counterparts equal the offer of the best casinos in Oklahoma to win real money poses some questions of whether it isn’t too good to be true. Truth is there are scammers out there and not having Oklahoma gambling casinos regulated online is another minus. But, for residents of Oklahoma, online gambling market offers lists of thoroughly verified sites, which comply with the latest safety and security requirements.
Additional Sources:
https://www.ok.gov/OGC/Frequently_Asked_Questions/
https://www.kxii.com/content/news/Oklahoma-senate-passes-bill-to-expand-gambling-laws-477133933.html