¶ 2 The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, a federally recognized Indian tribe (Tribe), owns a casino which it operates through its tribal enterprise, the Choctaw Casino of Pocola, Oklahoma (casino).
¶ 1 One question is presented in this appeal: Is the state district court a court of competent jurisdiction as used in the gaming compact between the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma such that the district court may exercise jurisdiction over this Indian-country arising negligence action filed by a casino patron against the Choctaw tribe and its casino? We answer in the affirmative. Tawwater, Rex Travis Paul Kouri, Oklahoma City, OK, for The Oklahoma Association for Justice, amicus curiae. Cowan, Oklahoma City, OK, for Comanche Nation Gaming Corporation and Sac and Fox Nation Business Enterprises, Inc., amici curiae. Green, Ada, OK, for Chickasaw Nation, amicus curiae. Graydon Dean Luthey, Jr., Tulsa, Oklahoma, Diane Hammons, Tahlequah, OK, for Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC, amici curiae.ĭeanna Hartley-Kelso, Debra Gee, Stephen H. Arrow, Oklahoma City, OK, for defendants/appellees. Robert Lee Rabon, Hugo, Oklahoma, Dennis W. Walker, Fort Smith, AR, for plaintiffs/appellants. 230 P.3d 507(2009) 2009 OK 52 Danny DYE and Pat Dye, Husband and Wife, Plaintiffs/Appellants,ĬHOCTAW CASINO OF POCOLA, Oklahoma, and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Defendants/Appellees.
