When I asked at the casino I was told some BS about the money going to the schools. Looking on the net I see the Creeks explain it as follows:
quote:
An ante is required to play before each hand is dealt. This fee is collected by Creek Nation Casino to host non-house backed table games in Oklahoma. Monies collected to create a players pool are disseminated back to the players via promotional prizes. Place your bet by placing chips in the circles directly in front of your seat.
The Firelake Casino runs "No Ante" promotions, so I assume ante is not required by law.
http://www.firelakegrand.com/promos_events.php?id=146I asked one time, THE one time I went to Cherokee about the Ante and they said some BS about it going to schools. I called them just now to ask again and was transfered to 'blackjack.' When I asked about the ante I was put on hold and then transfered to voice mail.
I've also *heard* that the gaming compact does not allow the house to make money off of table games, all the money the MAKE off of blackjack is taxed at 100%. So they collect an ante as their profit on the game.
When are people in Oklahoma going to realize that more money is lost on slot machines than on sports betting and all table games combined? Tables provide decent odds and slow down the pace of losing your money. They make gambling entertainment instead of just button pushing (no form of gambling makes it a money making venture, for the VAST majority of people anyway).
If anyone has the real scoop on the ANTE, I would love it hear it (and see the source).