Tribes Issues Statement on Latest Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill

Following the decision by Senator Casey Murdock to introduce another Oklahoma sports betting bill, the state’s tribes have released a statement on the subject.

This response, of course, is expected. Tribes have gaming exclusivity in Oklahoma. They argue this extends to any legalization of sports betting. Measures that seek to green light sports wagering essentially require their collaboration, if not that outright endorsement.

So, any response from them is notable. And it will invariably raise the question: Just how close is sports betting in Oklahoma to getting legalized?

Tribes Echo Previous Sentiments on Oklahoma Sports Betting Initiatives

Matthew L. Morgan, the Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, released the following statement to News in Tulsa:

“When the First Session of the 60th Legislature begins, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) will, as always, monitor the progress of any bills whose proposed actions pertain to tribal gaming on behalf of our Tribal Nation members. In order not to breach the current state-tribal gaming compacts, any bill purporting to change gaming offerings available in Oklahoma would require a supplemental offer from the State to modify the existing gaming compact between Tribal Nations and the State, and each tribal leader would evaluate the bill on its own merits. Any proposed new or modified gaming offering must make sound economic sense for everyone involved. Tribal Nations have always been willing to sit down and talk, in a respectful manner, about what is best for Oklahoma. That has not changed.”

This reiterates previous stances from the Tribal Nations. They are not opposed to Oklahoma sports betting. But they are opposed to expanding the market outside their purview. 

This is, in part, the crux of The Sooner State’s sports betting impasse. The Governor’s office has pushed to join the legal online sports betting in the United States fray. On the other hand, the tribal nations likely believe sports betting should be limited to them, since their current compact grants them gaming exclusivity in the state. 

At the same time, this is not the only hangup.

Governor Stitt’s Relationship with the Tribal Nations at the Heart of Everything

For all we know, tribal nations could be amenable to exploring Oklahoma online sports betting options. Sure, that likely requires opening up the market to commercialized heavyweights. But other tribal nations have not blocked the legalization of sports betting elsewhere. Common ground is a distinct possibility. 

In this case, though, we may never find out whether there’s a happy medium for both parties. Because this is not just about logistical opposition. It is also about a fractured, if not broken, relationship.

Governor Kevin Stitt and the tribal nations have not enjoyed a good working dynamic for some years. Previous attempts by Sitt to legalize Oklahoma sports betting lacked collaboration with the nations. In one instance, he reportedly tried to renegotiate the gaming compacts for only certain tribes. This did not go over well. And it has contributed to what is now a longstanding rift.

Morgan's closing lines in the statement are telltale of everything. He emphasizes that tribes have always been willing to discuss a future with Oklahoma sports betting. The fact that he includes this shifts the onus of responsibility for the discrepancies on the governor’s office.

National sentiment tends to agree. Especially when the office has continued to back other measures without seeking tribal collaboration. Regardless, even the latest Oklahoma sports betting bills do not seem to be crafted in partnership from the tribal nations.

Oh, yes, that is bills. Plural. Senator Dave Rader of Tulsa has sponsored one, too. But he also readily admits that his initiative, much like Senator Murdock’s, has little to no chance of passing in 2025. 

Will Sports Betting Legislation Have to Wait Until 2027?

The current climate in the Oklahoma sports wagering discussion has many wondering if a real push must wait until 2027. According to Jonathan Cooper of News 6, experts in the industry “suggested tribes may wait for a new governor to take office in 2027 before having conversations.”

Governor Stitt’s current term is scheduled to end on January 11, 2027. That is right around when the state legislature will be convening. This theoretically gives tribal nations time to broker sports betting agreements immediately after Stitt leaves office.

If this is the route they go down, the earliest Oklahoma sports betting could launch is probably 2028. And this assumes the next governor is more willing to play ball with the tribal nations than Stitt. Even then, there’s no guarantee the two sides instantly find common ground. 

Yet, further delay feels like the default. That is how nonexistent the communication between the governor and the tribes seems. It would take a small miracle for them to hash out a sports betting bill before he leaves office.

As it turns out, some within the industry believe this is possible, per Cooper. These experts aren’t necessarily betting this will happen. But they see a scenario in which Stitt changes his tune should Texas sports betting be legalized. If that takes place, the second most populated state will then be off the board. And that state just so happens to border Oklahoma. With officials already finding that residents travel to bet on sports in Kansas, they may feel more pressure if they are going to lose revenue to yet another state. 

Granted, this approach does not always work. Just take a gander at Georgia sports betting outlook. The legalization of sports betting in states around has not accelerated their timeline. Would Oklahoma sports betting be any different? Well, whether or not we find out may be up to Texas.

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