Alerts
Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to Oklahoma’s 2020 Tribal Gaming Compacts
Sep 24, 2026|
5 minute read
Looking for counsel who understands tribal communities and the complex legal issues shaping them?
Our Indian Law & Gaming lawyers represent tribal governments, Alaska Native entities, tribal corporations and affiliated enterprises as well as the many businesses working with them in matters across the country. We help clients address the complex intersection of federal Indian law, tribal law and state law while advancing their governmental, economic development and business objectives. Whether we are advising on policy, structuring a transaction or resolving a dispute, we bring practical strategy, responsive service and the depth of experience needed to achieve our clients’ goals.
Counsel driving tribal enterprise and strategic partnership
Our team serves as counselors and strategic advisors to tribal leaders, helping them strengthen governmental operations, exercise sovereignty, and pursue long-term economic opportunities. We work with a variety of clients from tribal governments to the sophisticated enterprises and major corporations doing business with them, handling a broad range of matters, including:
- Tribal sovereignty, jurisdiction, self-government, constitutional matters, elections and political law, tribal courts and the development and enforcement of tribal laws and policies
- Federal recognition, treaty and trust responsibilities, appropriations, government contracts, federal advocacy and intergovernmental agreements
- Economic development, strategic planning, corporate structuring, banking, finance, venture capital and complex commercial transactions
- Real estate, construction, leasing, zoning, land use and land selection and acquisition for gaming and other tribal purposes
- Taxation, employment, education, housing, natural resources, water and mineral development, renewable energy and environmental matters
- Sacred sites, historic and cultural resources and other issues central to tribal identity and community priorities
- Health law, including the Indian Health Service and healthcare entities and providers who work with or contract with tribes
Where gaming, regulation, and high-stakes disputes collide
We counsel tribes, gaming enterprises and companies that serve the gaming industry on casino development and financing, gaming compacts, tribal gaming laws and compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Our regulatory experience includes licensing, gaming devices, management and development agreements, patron disputes and proceedings before tribal gaming commissions, the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, state gaming agencies, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the Interior Board of Indian Appeals.
When a matter becomes contested, we represent clients in trials, appeals, arbitration and mediation in tribal, federal, and state forums. Our work includes major Indian law litigation, complex commercial disputes, class actions, product liability matters and disputes involving taxation, employment, natural resources, treaty rights, and jurisdiction.
A team built on experience and grounded in tribal priorities
Our lawyers have served in high-level roles for approximately 40 tribes, and members of our team have served as tribal supreme court justices. We are deeply entrenched in Native communities, serving on boards, attending tribal meetings and events, and maintaining longstanding relationships with tribal leaders across the country. Our attorneys have a level of knowledge and commitment that can only be built over time. When needed, our team also engages lawyers across the firm to deliver coordinated advice rather than viewing an issue through a single lens.
Prepared for change and positioned to lead
We are always looking ahead to what issues have the potential to impact tribal communities and their business partners. Our lawyers are closely monitoring developing threats to tribal gaming, including prediction markets and related state, federal and tribal jurisdictional challenges, providing sound guidance so our clients can assess risk and respond as the legal landscape continues to change.