The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma announced on Monday that it has rescheduled the international launch of Phase 2 of its gaming website in order to coordinate its rollout with foreign governments.
Phase 1 of the project was went live earlier this year. It included the launch of free-to-play games, including online poker, bingo, and pull-tabs. The PokerTribe website is available to US residents, except from those based in Oklahoma, and to international players, as well. The real money gaming options will only be accessible to players from other countries.
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma said in a Monday statement that it is currently working closely together with its exclusive online gaming software developer Universal Entertainment Group on securing international gaming licenses country-by-country and on reaching final agreements with bank processing merchants.
Bobby Walkup, Chairman of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, said that they are satisfied with the progress they are making towards launching the real money portion of their website. Mr. Walkup further noted that they are in discussions with officials from all jurisdictions the online casino would be available in and are planning to build solid relationships between the tribe’s government and gambling officials from the said jurisdictions.
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma revealed plans for operating an international real money gaming website in 2015. After the tribe’s project was reviewed by a State-appointed arbitrator and the US District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, it was determined that the provision of “covered games” under the Class III Gaming Compact between the tribe and the state was not in breach of any former or current state or federal laws.
Phase 2 of the project would include the launch of additional offering as well as of real money play options to the existing games. Working with Universal Entertainment Group, the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma will made the PokerTribe available on international cruises and flights, as well.
Once the tribal casino and poker website launches its real money gaming options, it will become the first of its kind to be based in the US and to be providing such options to international gambling customers.
