Chances of Oklahoma Sports Betting Legalization in 2025 Appear Slim

Another round of legislative sessions looks poised to finish without an Oklahoma sports betting legalization agreement in place.

This news is not entirely unexpected. The state and its federally recognized tribes have struggled to get on the same page for years. Even with multiple proposals that would legalize sports betting in Oklahoma on the table, many considered it a long shot, at least for this year. 

It turns out this concern is well warranted. The details trickling out of both the House of Representatives and Senate are not particularly encouraging. Officials are quick to note there is still time. They aren’t wrong. But the latest reports do not paint a rosy picture for Oklahoma sports betting enthusiasts.  

Legalization of Oklahoma Sports Betting Considered an ‘Uphill Battle’

Representative Ken Luttrell is the latest state official to reiterate the challenges facing The Sooner State. Most recently, he all but confirmed the current attempts would fail due to a lack of consensus. Here is Pat Evans of Legal Sports Report with the full details:

“Rep. Ken Luttrell told local media he knows the uphill battle his House sports betting bills face in the Senate. Meanwhile, a Senate bill giving an Oklahoma sports betting license to the Oklahoma City Thunder was pulled from a House committee agenda Monday. Gov. Kevin Stitt has repeatedly said he does not approve of the bills moving through the legislature. Stitt and the state’s tribes, which have a say in Oklahoma gambling matters, do not have a working relationship. Luttrell passed sports betting legislation through the House in 2023. This year, he brought two bills for two different tactics. His HB 1047 would legalize it through the normal legislative process. HB 1101, however, would put the bill up for a public vote. While Stitt has pledged to veto any of the sports betting legislation in play, he can only set the referendum date of HB 1101 if lawmakers pass it. ‘Needless to say, the governor is not very happy with me right now,’ Luttrell told the Pawhuska Journal-Capital. ‘He said my two bills are the height of corruption.’”

Governor Stitt’s response to Luttrell’s bills is somewhat predictable. It is also at least a little absurd. Mr. Stitt is arguably at fault for the shaky dynamic between him and the state’s tribes. He previously tried to selectively broker Oklahoma sports betting compacts with certain tribes. That naturally drew the ire of the majority. He and the tribes have failed to ever get on the same page since.

Representative Luttrell’s Sports Betting Bills Has Some Support Among Tribes

From our 10,000-foot view, Governor Stitt’s assertion that Representative Luttrell’s Oklahoma sports betting bills constitute the “height of corruption” is hyperbolic. Sure, he is free to disagree with the framework. But Luttrell’s initiatives seemingly embody two reasonable stances: that Oklahoma tribes should have sports betting exclusivity, and that the voting population deserves input.

Even if both points of view are arguable, they are at least legitimate. Why shouldn’t Oklahomans have a say in their state’s own laws? Especially if the market is looking to embrace the surge of online sports betting in the United States? 

Of course, it has never seemed as if Governor Stitt supports tribal exclusivity. And if he does, it sure doesn’t seem like he’s okay with them dictating terms. That serves as a barrier for entry to any Oklahoma sports betting initiative. 

Still, tribal support means just as much, if not more, than Governor Stitt’s thoughts on the matter. With the exception of perhaps California, tribes in Oklahoma have more power and influence than anywhere else in the country. Working with them isn’t just crucial. It’s non-negotiable.

To that end, Luttrell’s bills have garnered the support of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. In a recent press release, they said that their “preferred” Oklahoma sports betting language can be found in his bills. 

So, is There Still a Chance Oklahoma Legalizes Sports Betting in 2025?

With tribal support in favor of Luttrell’s proposals, the push for Oklahoma sports betting legalization in 2025 is far from dead. On the contrary, dialogue is still taking place. 

Tribal leaders and state officials closed out March having continued discussions on the future of Oklahoma sports betting. These conversations do not happen if there is not mutual interest from both sides. And it certainly does not happen without pieces of legislation in place with real traction.

Governor Stitt is, of course, the big variable here. To what end he can derail Oklahoma sports betting efforts he disagrees with remains unclear. His influence in the Senate is certainly a huge obstacle. But if enough policymakers support House Bill 1101, which calls for a public vote, the governor’s power figures to be more limited.

If Oklahoma is going to defy the current projections, this is the specific path to keep an eye on. Strictly relying on gaming-compact renegotiations gets tricky. Collaborating with enough tribal nations may not be an issue. But evoking the necessary support among state legislators is a separate matter. 

Remember, opposition to Oklahoma sports betting extends well beyond Governor Stitt’s (distaste). Luttrell may have better luck if voters are allowed to weigh in. Yet, even that scenario requires a great deal of legislative support. And so long as viewpoints on the matter continue to starkly vary, it’s this reality that stands to be the undoing of any Oklahoma sports betting proposal.  

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