Clouds Looming Over Sports Betting in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's sports betting status uncertain as Governor insists on advocating for 2023 legislation
It looks like Oklahoma's long-awaited foray into sports betting might face yet another roadblock. After a glimmer of hope surfaced this year, Governor Kevin Stitt is pushing his 2023 agenda once more, threatening to derail a possible legalization in 2025.
Stitt's plan aims to avoid a potential tribal monopoly situation in sports betting, but it's causing quite a stir. The Governor wants to hand over in-person wagering rights to Oklahoma's Native American tribes, keeping them out of the mobile sports betting action.
Last week, State Sen. Bill Coleman expressed enthusiasm about three new sports betting bills, predicting multiple paths for the Oklahoma Legislature to legalize sports gaming this year. However, Stitt's revived 2023 plan could dampen those hopes.
One of the bills, SB 585, gives tribes authority to offer mobile sports betting on sovereign land and also allows the Oklahoma City Thunder to jump into the game. However, Stitt's plan may jeopardize this bill's prospects.
Industry insiders are speculating that SB 164 might have a better chance of appeasing Stitt, as it allows for "tribes and non-tribal entities to apply for a 'sports pools' license." But Governor Stitt remains steadfast in his original plan, which he rolled out more than a year ago while supporting the Netanyahu administration following Palestinian terrorist attacks.
Stitt insists that his plan ensures Oklahoma does sports betting "right"—a viewpoint that seemingly disregards the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association's concerns about the economic feasibility and potential violations of their Tribal-State Gaming compacts.
Will Optimism Fade Away?
Stitt's insistence on the 2023 plan leaves the plan for in-person betting at retail casinos in limbo. Although the OKIGA stated that proposals concerning Native American businesses must be financially sound and non-exploitative, Stitt maintains his conviction that tribes can add sports betting to their existing infrastructure and offer it via mobile devices.
In light of these developments, it's unclear which direction Oklahoma's sports betting landscape will take. Stitt's dogged persistence in promoting his plan hashtagged as "OklahomaWins" could either push through a compromise or prolong the uncertainty, potentially delaying legalization for another year.
Stay tuned as this dynamic situation unfolds, and we will keep you updated on the latest developments in Oklahoma's quest for legal sports betting.
- The governor's 2023 agenda poses a threat to the potential legalization of sports betting in Oklahoma in 2025, as he aims to avoid a tribal monopoly in the sports betting industry.
- Two sports betting bills, SB 585 and SB 164, are currently under consideration by the Oklahoma Legislature, but Governor Stitt's revived 2023 plan may impede their progress.
- Under the terms of the Voting Does Oklahoma Win (OklahomaWins) plan, Oklahoma's Native American tribes would be granted in-person betting rights, but excluded from mobile sports betting action.
- Governor Stitt's plan does not sit well with the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, who have expressed concerns about the economic feasibility of the plan and potential violations of their Tribal-State Gaming compacts.
- The controversial sports-betting policy and legislation in Oklahoma raises questions about the future direction of the state's sports betting landscape, as it may either lead to a compromise or prolong the uncertainty, potentially delaying legalization for another year.
