New Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill Officially Filed

Another Oklahoma sports betting bill is officially on the table.

The new, while not entirely unexpected, ensures the push to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma will continue. It is an effort now spanning years. And, as a result, multiple failed efforts.

Some believe this time will be different. But history suggests The Sooner State will run into hangups. Especially when you consider the current relationship between Oklahoma tribes and Governor Kevin Stitt.

However, surely Senator Casey Murdock would not file a piece of sports betting legislation that has zero shot at legalization. Right?

Senate Bill 164 Legalizes Oklahoma Sports Betting In-Person And Online

Murdock’s initiative, Senate Bill 164, has already answered one question: Will Oklahoma sports betting efforts seek to legalize online wagering or limit the scope to retail options? As it turns out, the measure is chasing approval for both in-person and online sports betting. Here is more from Jonathan Cooper of News On 6 in Tulsa:

“Republican state Sen. Casey Murdock has filed Senate Bill 164 to legalize sports betting. It's similar to a bill he filed in past years, endorsed by the governor, that would offer both mobile and in-person betting. Murdock says Oklahomans have overwhelmingly told him they want sports betting, and he says money leaves the state every day.

“‘I went to a conference last summer on sports betting, and a company that does the geo-fencing was explaining how all that works. And they showed me the map of Oklahoma and people on I-35 headed to Kansas trying to place bets. Every time they placed bets while still in Oklahoma, it’d pop up red. So you saw all these red dots going up I-35, and as soon as they got into Kansas, you saw massive amounts of green dots,’ said Murdock”

This logic makes sense for including both online and in-person wager. The rising popularity of online sports betting in the United States is not a fly-by-night fad. The overwhelming majority of sports bets placed in the U.S. are processed with a mobile operator. And this trend can be even more pronounced in rural states, such as Oklahoma, where not everyone is within reasonable driving distance of a casino or physical sportsbook.

At this point, if you legalize sports betting without an online element, you’re willingly capping accessibility and revenue potential. Sometimes, though, this is the price of retaining gaming exclusivity for tribes. And in this case, that issue will mean everything to this discussion.

Tribes and Governor Stitt Still Hold Fate of Sports Betting In Their Hands

Despite clear interest from the voting population and plenty of state officials, many believe Oklahoma sports betting attempts are doomed until further notice. While this sounds extreme, it is not necessarily inaccurate.

According to Cooper, multiple playmakers say “no progress will be possible until the tribes and governor come together for talks.” This is an extension of preexisting concerns. Heck, this is the issue that thus far defines sports betting perception in The Sooner State.

Many factors are grating on the relationship between tribes and the Governor. Overall, the tension stems from diametrically opposing views on Oklahoma sports betting. Tribal gaming compacts give them gambling exclusivity. And the tribes believe this should not change. Ergo, they are against Oklahoma online sports betting legalization—for now, anyway.

Stitt, on the other hand, is all for it. He has backed online sports betting proposals in the past. Even more notably, he attempted to renegotiate certain gaming compact years ago. That did not sit well with tribes in general.

Rightfully so, too. Gaming compacts are legal agreements. And they grant tribes exclusivity under current law. Any amendments should require their approval. That, in turn, mandates they be included as Oklahoma sports betting collaborators. Sports will not get done without them.

But the same can be said for Stitt. He must sign any Oklahoma sports betting bill. To this point, he has not given any indication he will approve one that does not allow for online Oklahoma sports betting.

Where Does Oklahoma Go From Here?

If we are being honest, the end destination for the latest round of sports betting talks already seems to be etched in marble. Discussions are bound to head nowhere.

In the event this plays out, it will annoy many. Almost 40 states have now legalized some form of sports betting. Based on how many Oklahomans bet on sports in Kansas, it is clear the majority want access. And they will dismiss the idea that the Governor and state tribes cannot compromise.

These issues are never that binary. And yet, this is a fair stance to take. Other states have figured it out. Some have allowed tribal sportsbooks to launch, with online sports betting sites following weeks, months or even years later. Is a setup along these lines not possible? For the moment, it does not seem very plausible.

Perhaps this changes. Maybe tribes are more open to legal Oklahoma sports betting online. Or maybe amendments are made to SB 164 and Governor Stitt offers support for on-site-only legalization. But until we get word of any compromises, we must continue to assume the relationship of Governor Stitt and the tribes is stuck in stasis.

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