misinformation given on QOD Nov. 12-19

The question concerning 50 cents per hand ante in Oklahoma casinos. I believe the following quote is wrong.  

We then forwarded the question to a real expert, our Oklahoma correspondent Jeff Leatherock. 

“I was told several years ago that the WinStar rake was the only part of the blackjack revenue that the casino could keep for itself. All other profits from blackjack could not be retained by the tribe (Chickasaw, in this case). I don't remember what it had to be spent on, but I recall that overhead expenses were one of categories. Go figure."

My response to the above:

It is my understanding the ante is paid into the state education fund.  The casinos I frequent that "push the ante" still pay the ante.  The state supervises all casinos to make sure the ante is paid into the state education fund regardless of who pays it, the casino or the player. 

Out of the 6 casinos I frequent, 3 push the ante 24/7, one pushes the ante 3 days a week, and one pushes the ante on craps and $25 minimum tables. I hope I have some credibility of what I speak, I have visited all of the casinos mentioned in the QOD,  I am a top tier card holder in 5 casinos.  I'm in a casino at least 5 nights a week.

I have a great appreciation for the LVA staff and their knowledge, I felt I had to illuminate the narrative given.

What do you mean by "push the ante"?

'push the ante", means the casino will pay the 50 cent per hand fee.  The casinos that push the ante do require you use a players card.  It can be quite expensive for the casino. I have seen on rare instances people choose to pay the ante rather than get a players card.   I'm amazed how many $5 players will play in casinos where they have to pay the ante, that is a 10% disadvantage before the cards are dealt.

I don't understand how the casinos could afford to pay it, either. 50 cents a hand would completely negate the house advantage even against terrible players, at least for all bets that are, say, $10 or smaller.

Also, how does anyone keep track of how many hands are dealt and thus, how much money the casino owes the state? Something doesn't seem right here.

As for players absorbing a 10% disadvantage when they don't have to, well...people's stupidity has no limits.

Kevin,  I've had dealers point out the state investigators as they're doing their snooping to be sure the state is getting what's owed them.  The ante is dropped into a seperate box.  I'm sure the survelliance tapes are also scrutinized.  That is a good point you bring up about the casino coming out on the losing end when they pay the ante. I'm going to google that.

This is what I found on a site called Gambling Sites.org

"The Indian Casinos in Oklahoma operate under a legal agreement with the state called a “compact.” Part of that agreement is a fee of between 4% and 6% on adjusted gross revenue that must be paid to the state. This is, in effect, a tax.

The casinos use this as an excuse to charge an “ante” at their table games. It’s really just an arbitrary fee, and contrary to the claims made by the staff and management at the casino, they’re not required to charge it. They just use the 5% as a number that coincides with the amount of the fees they charge.

Last year, the casinos paid the state almost $134 million in fees."

I encourage all, to search out the casinos that don't pay an Ante.  Here is a list of casinos that I personally know that do not charge an ante: Downstream, Buffalo Run, Indigo Sky, River Spirit on $25 tables and craps and Osage on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.