A county seat is the administrative center of a county. This is a term primarily used in the United States. In England, Wales, and Ireland, the term county town is used instead. While most American states only have one county seat per county, there are states where this is not the case (for example, in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Iowa, Arkansas, and Alabama all have two).

Being the county seat is often a source of pride for a city. It is also a prime source of additional jobs. While every state has them, I would like to focus today on some of the important county seats in the historic state of Oklahoma.

Why Oklahoma? Well, I personally believe that it's often a much-overlooked state. Oklahoma is filled with culture and natural beauty. And for those who like to gamble, it's a virtual paradise. Due to a compact between the state and local Indian tribes, the landscape is dotted with both casinos and bingo halls.

So without further delay, here a few important county seats in Oklahoma which you may not be aware of.

McAlester, Oklahoma - Located in Pittsburg County, McAlester is the county seat and a city with a population of 17,783. It is the largest city in the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and also home to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. It also has the distinction of being the birthplace of country music legend Reba McEntire.

Many people who follow the news remember McAlester as the scene of the 2004 trial for Terry Nichols in conjunction with the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing.

There are several points of interest in the city, including the Garrard Ardeneum, McAlester Ammunitions Depot, and the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Bingo and casino games can be found at the Choctaw Nation Gaming Center, located at 1638 South George Nigh Expressway.

Enid, Oklahoma - Located in Garfield County, Enid has a population of 47,045 according to the 2000 census. It is located 70 miles north of Oklahoma City.

Notable residents have included Sam Boyd (casino owner), Clyde Cessna (pilot), Thad Luckinbill (actor), Mark Price (NBA player), and Leona Mitchell (opera singer).

If you're looking to play some bingo while you're in Enid, there are four different places to get your fix. The first is the American Legion, where games are held every Thursday at 7:00 pm. Next is the Moose Lodge, where games are held every Monday and Wednesday at 7:15 pm. Next up is the VFW, where games are held Tuesdays at 7:00 pm and Saturdays at 1:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Finally, there's Palace Bingo. This bingo hall has games Tuesday thru Saturday at 5:30 pm, 7:45 pm, and 10:00 pm.

Newkirk, Oklahoma - Newkirk is the county seat of Kay County, located in far North Central Oklahoma. The population was estimated to be 2,243 at the last census. It is known as the "Gem City of the Plains." The city's entire business district was placed on the National Register in 1984 as a historic district.

Besides a great deal of historic architecture and monuments, Newkirk is also a great place to play bingo. Every Friday at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 5:30pm, and the first Monday at 7pm, you can head on down to Kaw Bingo and play until your heart's content.

Altus, Oklahoma - Home to Altus Air Force base, this is the county seat of Jackson County and has a population of around 21,447. It is also the home of Southwest Technology Center and Western Oklahoma State College. Numerous world-class companies also make their homes there, including Bar-S Foods and Altus Athletic Manufacturing. And if you visit in December, be sure and catch their yearly Christmas in the Park (a holiday event which has received statewide recognition).

Altus also has a couple of fine bingo facilities. The first is the local VFW, which is located at 500 North Veterans Drive. Games are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7pm. Secondly, there's Bingo Oasis, where games are held every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 5pm.

No matter which county seat in Oklahoma you visit, you'll be certain to find a friendly city full of history and natural wonders. In addition, many have casinos and bingo halls to add to the excitement. As you can see, you just can't go wrong by visiting Oklahoma.