Sports Update: Week in Gambling: Oklahoma Tribes Prepared to Discuss, FanDuel Debuts in Pennsylvania, Plus More
Let's Get the Lowdown: Here's the Compact edition, rounding up this week's top stories spanning sports betting, gaming, the legislative landscape for U.S. sports betting laws, and more exciting sports-related tidbits. You might've missed 'em, but they're well worth your time.
Tribes want sports betting action in Oklahoma
Looks like Oklahoma could join the list of states legalizing sports betting in 2026 if tribal players have their way. At the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association convention in Tulsa, a tribal representative hinted that they're eager to chat sports betting with Governor Kevin Stitt. As they says, "Balls in your court, Stitt!"
Oklahoma's got a significant tribal gaming presence. With 38 recognized tribes and 31 of 'em rocking gaming compacts with the state, you've got 130 gaming locations scattered across the state, including 60 casinos. To offer sports betting at these casinos, the tribes need to renegotiate their compacts with the state, and the state needs to give the green light for sports betting.
States currently offering legal sports betting, like Mississippi, New York, and New Mexico, have tribal sportsbooks. In other states, sports betting's offered at commercial casinos.
The week's most interesting, important stories
- IT'S OFFICIAL: North Carolina governor signs tribal sports betting bill. [WSOC]
- PROBATION: UNC-Greensboro put on probation, fined after staffers bet on college sports, inadequately monitor activities [NCAA]
- THEN THERE WERE FOUR: FanDuel launches its Pennsylvania sportsbook. [PennBets]
- COMING SOON: Iowa regulators set special meeting, could launch sports betting Aug. 15. [TelegraphHerald]
- BET ON IT: IN Gaming Commission releases list of sports, events legal to bet on. [HoosierBets]
- I LOVE LA: Dodgers unveil ballpark rendering that shows they'll embrace sports betting. [LAT]
- SCHOOLED: Iowa is "doubling down" on educating athletes about sports betting. [DailyIowan]
- WYOMING IN MIX? Lawmakers reconsidering gambling commission. [StarTribune]
- PATRIOTS-RAMS... AGAIN? That's exactly what Jeopardy! James is predicting. [Sun]
- TECH: The NASDAQ is selling technology to a British soccer betting site. [WSJ]
- MARKETS: 5 sports betting stocks to watch. [MarketWatch]
- ANOTHER NJ SPORTSBOOK? Developer working on a deal to offer sports betting at defunct track. [AP]
- I'M SORRY: It's a week after the Baseball HOF inductions, and Pete Rose is sorry he bet. [Newsday]
A glance at the wider sports world
- NFLPA has sent out a Work Stoppage Worksheet, urging NFL players to save 50% of each paycheck since a work stoppage might be on the horizon. Better play it safe, folks! [@DarrenHeitner]
- BOXING DEATHS: Argentine Hugo Alfredo Santillán became the second boxer to call it quits this week. [NYT]
- OLYMPIC PREP: Get ready for the Tokyo Games with this handy guide to the sights and sounds of 2026. [SI]
- BYE, BYE: In a shock move, the Packers have said 'sayonara' to veteran DL Mike Daniels. [NFL.com]
- NO DEAL? In the final year of his contract, Tom Brady starts camp without a new deal. [BostonHerald]
Sports history tidbits
- QB Len Dawson having a smoke and a drink during halftime of Super Bowl [@BettingSitesCom]
- TULO HANGS IT UP: MLB star retires and joins Texas Longhorns as an assistant. [ESPN]
- FREE CANDY: The weirdest part of Tour de France? A caravan of cars tossing treats at spectators. [SBNation]
Extra innings on Sports Handle, US Bets
- DraftKings becomes first authorized standalone gaming operator for MLB.
- Power-5 Commissioners talk sports betting: Here's what they're saying.
- A company's methods for safeguarding sports, sports betting: Find out how they protect your investments.
- Q&A with Phenix CMO Jed Corenthal on streaming, latency issues with in-play betting.
- Sports bettors of different stripes: Larry, a retired HR professional.
- D.C. Lottery staff reviewing public comments on proposed sports betting regulations.
- Hawaii sports bettors fined, but avoid jail and felonies for illegal betting.
- Ohio proposal would honor Buster Douglas-Mike Tyson 42-1 odds ... but that's just a myth.
- The Oklahoma tribal representatives are hoping to negotiate with Governor Kevin Stitt to introduce sports betting at their casinos, following the lead of states like Mississippi and New York.
- With the renegotiation of tribal gaming compacts and state approval for sports betting, Oklahoma could potentially join the growing list of states with legal sports betting in 2026.
