Oklahoma legislators are once again taking a swing at legalizing sports betting, introducing two separate proposals aimed at bringing the industry into the state. But as familiar debates over tribal exclusivity and financial viability resurface, the road ahead remains uncertain. With Native gaming interests split and Governor Kevin Stitt’s stance unclear, the battle for sports betting legalization is far from settled.
Two Bills, Two Visions
State Senator Dave Rader (R-Tulsa) and State Senator Casey Murdock (R-Felt) have each put forward a plan to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma. While both bills seek to regulate and tax sports wagers, they take very different approaches to the issue.
Rader’s Senate Bill 125 (SB 125) proposes that all sports betting activity remain under existing tribal gaming compacts, ensuring that Native American tribes maintain control over the market. On the other hand, Murdock’s Senate Bill 164 (SB 164) adopts a more open-ended approach, allowing non-tribal entities to enter the space—a stance that aligns with Governor Stitt’s past preferences for a broader, less tribal-restricted gaming industry.
The key differences between the bills raise big questions:
- Should Oklahoma keep sports betting under tribal control, or should commercial operators be allowed in?
- How would either approach impact state revenues and gaming compacts?
- Will lawmakers finally push a bill through, or will the effort stall once again?
The Demand is Clear—But So Are the Hurdles
Sports betting is already happening in Oklahoma—just not legally. Senator Murdock pointed out that residents frequently travel to Kansas to place bets, a fact underscored by geolocation data.
“I went to a conference last summer on sports betting, and a company that does geo-fencing showed me a map of Oklahoma. You could see people on I-35 headed to Kansas trying to place bets. As soon as they got into Kansas, you saw massive amounts of green dots,” Murdock said.
Despite the clear demand, legalizing sports betting in Oklahoma has been an uphill battle. Past attempts never made it to a full legislative vote, often getting stuck in committees or withdrawn before gaining traction. The question isn’t just whether Oklahoma wants sports betting—it’s about how it should be implemented.
Tribal Nations Hold the Cards
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) hasn’t taken an official stance on the bills, but tribal leaders have been cautious. Their position is clear: any change to gaming laws must benefit the tribes, who currently hold exclusive gaming rights under compacts with the state.
Matthew L. Morgan, chairman of OIGA, stressed that sports betting must make financial sense for all involved. The issue? Sports betting isn’t a major moneymaker compared to casino staples like slot machines.
“Any proposed new or modified gaming offering must make sound economic sense for everyone involved,” Morgan stated.
That’s a big deal. While sports betting gets a lot of attention, its profit margins are thin. Casinos make far more money on slot machines, which require fewer operational costs and offer higher returns. If sportsbooks aren’t a major revenue driver, tribes may not see much incentive to fight for them—especially if the state tries to cut them out of the deal.
Governor Stitt’s Role in the Debate
Governor Kevin Stitt’s stance on sports betting has been inconsistent. He previously advocated for opening the market beyond tribal gaming, a position that strained his relationship with many Native nations.
His past clashes with tribes over gaming compacts could create a roadblock for any sports betting proposal. The Cherokee Nation and other tribes may be unwilling to renegotiate gaming agreements while Stitt remains in office.
“Talking with some people who are very involved in Indian Country in Oklahoma, they’re almost just kind of glad to wait out his term when [Stitt] leaves office,” said gaming analyst Ryan Butler.
This political tension means that even if a bill makes it through the legislature, getting tribal support—or avoiding a legal fight—could be another challenge.
What’s Next?
The battle over sports betting in Oklahoma isn’t just about passing a law. It’s about who controls the industry, how profits are shared, and whether the state and tribes can find common ground.
The fate of SB 125 and SB 164 will play out in the coming months, but one thing is certain: legal or not, sports betting is already a part of Oklahoma’s economy. The question is whether lawmakers, tribes, and the governor can finally agree on how to regulate it.
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