It was Assistant Attorney General Neal Leader who provided the legal ammunition for the commission's refusal of the check. He said, however, that the governor is authorized to receive gifts on behalf of the state. So that's what Barrett decided to do. She accepted the check on behalf of the governor, Barrett said, and apologized for the poor reception given the tribe at the commission meeting. The amount represents the breakage on wagers placed at the tribe's off-track betting facility, and the money from unclaimed tickets will be donated after the deadline has passed for cashing in the tickets.
Breakage is the amount of money left over when track officials round off winnings to the dollar.
Wooden was instrumental in helping get pari-mutuel betting passed in Oklahoma. To begin to accomplish that goal, he helped organized an event that brought 35 horsemen from all over the state to the tribal facilities, where they were given a tour and told about the tribe's OTB operation. Our next objective was to take it to the commission, and they allowed me on the agenda. I appeared personally to explain why I was working with tribe. I told them the laws we've passed make tribal involvement legal, and it is here with us.