Oklahoma Governor stands firm on sports betting plan amid competing proposals

Governor Kevin Stitt is holding firm on his vision for sports betting in Oklahoma amidst ongoing legislative debates over competing proposals. Stitt took to social media to resurface his past legalization proposal, which could clash with bills in the state legislature.

In an X post, Stitt said: “If the Legislature is going to pass sports betting in Oklahoma, it needs to be a fair deal for everyone – not just the tribes. I rolled out a solid, fair plan over a year ago.”

In November 2023, Stitt announced a plan to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma, allowing in-person wagers at tribal gaming facilities and mobile betting through state-licensed sportsbooks. The latter provision would open the door for commercial operators such as DraftKings or FanDuel.

“I promised Oklahomans if we pursued sports betting, we would do it right – and this plan does just that,” Stitt said in the release. "Thirty-five states have already legalized sports betting, and it'll be a great revenue stream for the state. Tribes will be able to add it onto their existing infrastructure, and Oklahomans can access it right from their phone."

His plan includes a 20% tax on mobile betting and 15% on retail wagering.

Multiple sports betting bills are being debated in the Oklahoma House and Senate, but none have gained significant traction, according to a report from Covers. Some favor tribal control over all sports betting, while others propose a model closer to Stitt’s.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Senate's Business and Insurance Committee approved three sports betting bills, each taking a different approach. One measure would allow tribal casinos to offer both in-person and mobile betting on their lands while granting the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder a license for online sports wagering off tribal land. Another bill would give tribes complete control over mobile and in-person sports betting statewide.

Among the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 164, introduced by Republican Sen. Casey Murdock, most closely aligns with Stitt’s vision. The bill would empower the Oklahoma Lottery Commission’s board of trustees to negotiate agreements for sports wagering with "one or more other states or sovereigns" for in-person and mobile sports wagering while mirroring the governor’s proposed tax rates of 15% for retail betting and 20% for mobile.

Stitt's remarks suggest some bills, including House Bills 1047 and 1101, are unlikely to earn his support. Both measures would place sports betting exclusively under tribal control, with H.B. 1101 including a provision for a voter referendum if necessary.

At the same time, even if a compromise is reached in the legislature, Stitt’s plan is likely to face resistance from the state’s gaming tribes. The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) had previously said that any sports betting framework must align with existing Tribal-State Gaming compacts and be economically viable for all stakeholders.