The push for sports betting in Oklahoma is gaining traction as lawmakers have introduced a revised bill that has received significant backing from tribal leaders. A Senate vote is anticipated this week.
Oklahoma's legislators have brought forth an amendment to a previously stalled sports betting bill for 2025, securing essential support from various stakeholders, which paves the way for a Senate vote.
In a recent press announcement, Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell revealed that they have garnered support from tribal authorities, public universities, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The new amendment outlines a framework for both retail and mobile sports betting, along with guidelines for the distribution of state revenue.
The original bill, HB 1047, passed in the House last year but faced delays in the Senate. Should the amended version receive approval in the Senate, it will return to the House for a subsequent vote.
This new amendment replaces the earlier version of HB 1047 and aims to establish a system that permits Oklahoma tribes to offer both retail and mobile sports betting via the existing gaming compact with the state.
The proposal allows tribes to collaborate with commercial operators like FanDuel and DraftKings, ensuring that all wagers are legally attributed to tribal lands where the servers are hosted. Unlike Wisconsin’s recently enacted legislation, there are no revenue-sharing stipulations, enabling flexible negotiations between tribes and operators.
Under the revised proposal, the state will receive an 8% fee from adjusted sports betting revenue. Additional provisions include directing all state revenue from NBA and WNBA bets towards early childhood literacy initiatives, while remaining funds will be allocated to higher education, student development, workforce programs, and a tourism fund leveraging the Thunder’s global presence. Furthermore, a fixed monthly contribution will be set aside for problem gambling treatment and educational services.
Lawmakers have highlighted the extensive negotiations that led to this amendment. Coleman stated, “This is a significant day for Oklahoma. We are closer than ever to legalizing sports betting. This new legislation is the result of countless hours of discussions over many years.”
He emphasized that the proposal aims to balance tribal interests with market demands, stating, “This agreement honors our tribal partners and showcases collaboration with our NBA franchise to create a legitimate system that can compete with the unregulated black market.”
Luttrell, the primary author of the bill in the House, noted the lengthy process leading to this proposal, saying, “This has been a long journey. We have spent years refining the details, listening to our tribal partners, and collaborating with stakeholders like the Oklahoma City Thunder to ensure this is done correctly.”
The alignment of stakeholders marks a significant shift from previous attempts at sports betting legislation in Oklahoma. According to the lawmakers, the proposal has received support from a supermajority of tribes within the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, as well as public universities and the Thunder, which could be crucial in overcoming past challenges that stalled sports betting initiatives due to disagreements among tribes and lawmakers, particularly with the governor’s office.