Oklahoma Lawmakers Push Multiple Sports Betting Bills Forward
A set of bills aimed at legalizing sports betting in Oklahoma, including one that would allow the Oklahoma City Thunder to obtain a gaming license, moved forward in the Senate on Thursday.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:However, there are concerns that at least one of the proposals could conflict with existing tribal gaming agreements. According to Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, chairman of the Senate Business and Insurance Committee, while the multiple Oklahoma bills will likely undergo significant revisions through negotiations between the state, tribes, and other stakeholders, the fact that they advanced is a demonstration of Oklahoma’s commitment to legalizing sports betting.
Tribes Could Offer Sports Betting under Senate Bill 125
Senate Bill 125, introduced by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, would permit tribes with gaming compacts to operate sports betting pools, including mobile wagering, on various sporting events, excluding horse and animal races.
To offer sports betting, tribes would need to amend their existing compacts, with exclusivity fees set between 5% and 7%. The measure passed the Senate committee with a 9-2 vote and will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Under the compacts, Oklahoma would give tribes exclusive rights to certain Class III gaming activities, including slot machines, roulette, and craps, in exchange for exclusivity fees. According to the Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit’s annual report, in fiscal year 2024, these fees generated $210 million for the state, up nearly 4% from the previous year.
Oklahoma Falling Behind on Sports Betting Legalization
More than 30 states have already legalized sports betting, but previous attempts to do so in Oklahoma have failed.
Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, said that they are “way behind the curve” compared to nearby states, which is a “concern” considering how competitive the market is.
Morgan said that while his association has yet to speak to the bill sponsors, it remains open to discussions. However, he stressed that any legislation must respect existing tribal compacts, follow the established gaming supplemental process, and make economic sense.
Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has expressed concerns that Senate Bill 164, which narrowly advanced in committee, might violate exclusivity provisions in tribal agreements. He warned that if that happens, the state could lose revenue by breaching its compact terms.
SB 164 would place sports betting regulation under the Oklahoma Lottery Commission. The bill proposes a $500,000 initial licensing fee, a $100,000 annual renewal fee, and a 15% tax on adjusted gross revenue from sports betting. It would also remove restrictions on other Class III gaming activities, potentially opening the market to additional entities beyond the tribes.
Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, the bill’s author, said the proposal is meant to be a starting point for discussions with tribes and will likely see changes. The measure advanced with a 6-5 vote and now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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OKC Thunder Could Receive Gaming License
Sen. Bill Coleman has sponsored Senate Bill 585, which passed the committee by an 8-2 vote. It which would give the Oklahoma City Thunder a gaming license for sports betting.
The bill would allow in-person betting at tribal casinos and mobile sports betting on tribal land. The Thunder would oversee mobile betting outside tribal land. Under the proposal, the state would receive 10% of net sportsbook revenues, which could generate an estimated $20 million annually.
Coleman argues that this revenue would help support the Thunder, but he said that the team would have to reach an agreement with tribal leaders, and the two parties are due to meet next week to discuss the proposal.
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