Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced two new bills aimed at legalizing sports betting, reigniting a long-standing debate over the practice in the state. However, questions remain over tribal exclusivity and economic viability, with opposition from some Native gaming interests and uncertainty surrounding Governor Kevin Stitt’s stance.
State Senator Dave Rader (R-Tulsa) has introduced Senate Bill 125 (SB 125), while State Senator Casey Murdock (R-Felt) has proposed Senate Bill 164 (SB 164). Both measures would allow sports betting in the state, but they differ on key regulatory and tribal compact issues.
Senator Murdock emphasized the growing demand for legal sports betting in Oklahoma, citing the frequency with which residents cross into neighboring states to place bets.
“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 past attempts to legalize sports betting, previous proposals have failed to reach a floor vote, often stalling in committee or being withdrawn.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) has remained neutral on the issue but insists that any sports betting legalization must align with the interests of tribal nations, which hold exclusive gaming rights under existing compacts with the state.
“Any proposed new or modified gaming offering must make sound economic sense for everyone involved,” said Matthew L. Morgan, chairman of OIGA.
One major concern is sports betting’s low-profit margins, making it a less attractive gaming option compared to slot machines or table games.
Murdock’s SB 164 would allow non-tribal entities to offer sports betting, aligning with Governor Kevin Stitt’s push for a broader approach. By contrast, Rader’s SB 125 seeks to keep wagering within tribal gaming compacts, a move that could face resistance from the governor’s office.
The Cherokee Nation and other tribes may be hesitant to renegotiate gaming compacts while Stitt remains in office, given past legal battles over gaming revenue.
“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.
The two bills also differ in their approach to regulating sports betting. SB 164 proposes that the Oklahoma Lottery Commission oversee the industry, while SB 125 assigns regulatory authority to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission.
This distinction highlights a key debate over which agency is better suited to manage and enforce sports betting regulations, potentially impacting the industry’s structure and oversight in the state.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/07/94418-oklahoma-lawmakers-revive-sports-betting-legalization-efforts-with-two-proposals-filed
