The Demise of Oklahoma's Sports Betting Bills for 2025
2025 Prospects for Oklahoma Sports Betting Fade Away
Oklahoma's plans to legalize sports betting in 2025 have hit a major roadblock. Two bills, sponsored by Rep. Ken Luttrell Jr., failed to gain traction in the Senate, continuing the state's failed attempt to bring sports betting to its citizens this year.
A legislative collapse
Today marked the end of the Oklahoma legislative session, and both HB 1047 and HB 1101, the sports betting bills heavily supported by lawmakers, were not given a vote on the Senate floor. Governor Kevin Stitt made it clear he was against the bills' approaches, preferring a more diverse market that includes both tribal and commercial operators.
A Governor's Preference
Gov. Stitt has been vocally opposed to any sports betting legislation that grants tribes exclusive control over the market. He has suggested a "free market solution" would benefit the state more, allowing numerous operators to provide customers with a variety of options. Formerly, he had commercial operators bidding for licenses in his proposed legislation, with tribes paying a license fee just like any other operator if awarded an online sports betting license.
In the past, Gov. Stitt made his stance quite evident: "When they say that all stakeholders have come to the table and agreed on something, the taxpayers that are represented by the Oklahoma Governor have not weighed in on those things."
Competing Interests
The bills, if signed into law, would have allowed Oklahoma tribes to operate in-person and online sports betting on tribal lands only. HB 1101 also included a provision to send the issue to state voters for approval in 2026 if HB 1047 were vetoed by Gov. Stitt.
However, the contentious relationship between Gov. Stitt and the Oklahoma tribes has hindered progress. In the past, tribal exclusivity has been a point of contention, complicating the legislative process.
The Next Step: 2026 and Beyond
While the legislative efforts have been put on hold for this year, the Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton stated they will be studying the issue over the summer. This could lead to renewed efforts in 2026, provided Gov. Stitt's stance remains the same. If the Senate decides to revive HB 1101, the issue may eventually reach state voters for a decision in 2026.
Interestingly, Sen. Bill Coleman's "Thunder Bill," originally introduced in March, would have allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire a sports betting license while also allowing tribal casinos to offer retail sports betting at their facilities. Although Coleman's bill initially failed, it could potentially come up again next session.
Should these developments unfold, Oklahoma may finally see progress in legalizing sports betting within the state. However, it's uncertain how any potential legislation would address Gov. Stitt's concerns, given his clear preference for a broader market model.
The Senate President Pro Tempor Lonnie Paxton has announced that they will be studying the sports betting issue over the summer, potentially leading to renewed efforts in 2026. This could mean a revisitation of HB 1101, sending the sports betting issue to state voters for a decision in 2026.
The failure of Sen. Bill Coleman's "Thunder Bill," which would have allowed the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire a sports betting license and tribal casinos to offer retail sports betting, highlights the complexity of the Oklahoma sports betting landscape.
In light of Governor Kevin Stitt's preference for a broader market model, any future sports betting legislation must balance the interests of tribal operators and commercial stakeholders, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive sports-betting market.
