Will the Oklahoma Senate Approve Sports Betting Ahead of Deadline?

The Sooner State is running out of time to legalize sports betting in 2025.

The Oklahoma Senate is reviewing a pair of sports betting bills, but will need to vote on them before the legislative session ends on May 8. The first bill is HB 1047, which would legalize a tribal-run sports betting industry. The other is HB 1101, which allows voters to decide on the issue.

Both bills have passed the House and are gaining momentum in the Senate. However, Governor Kevin Stitt's stance against tribal-run sports betting remains steadfast. As a result, he has promised to veto any bill that comes across his desk.

While Stitt’s opposition remains strong, so does that of industry proponents.

“These bills represent a balanced approach, ensuring both tribal and public interests are served,” Luttrell said in a release last month. “By legalizing sports betting, we’re not only creating new opportunities but also capturing revenue from millions of dollars that are currently being bet illegally or out of state.”

The Governor could only veto HB 1047, but HB 1101 would not need his approval to pass.

Non-Tribal Proposals Fail to Gain Support

One primary reason Stitt opposes a tribal-run industry is a 2020 incident. The Governor attempted to sign a gambling compact with two tribes, which would have cut the others out of the industry. Those tribes sued, leading to both compacts failing. Since then, tensions between the state’s top lawmaker and the tribes have remained tense.

Some Oklahoma lawmakers have proposed bills allowing tribes and commercial businesses to enter the industry. One such bill is SB 585, which would allow the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire a sports betting license. However, this bill has not gained much momentum, showing that tribal support is likely key to legalizing the industry.