Oklahoma tribes push for fair sports betting deal, caution against rushed legislation

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) has released policy recommendations and proposed edits for sports betting legislation in the state, stressing the importance of protecting tribal gaming compacts and ensuring economic viability.  

After 18 months of discussions, OIGA provided clarifying language to state lawmakers Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa) and Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City), authors of key sports betting bills—Senate Bill 125 and House Bill 1047.  

Clarifying language recommended by OIGA is based on three principles: do no harm to current gaming compacts; utilize the statutory process for the state to offer additional forms of gaming to tribal gaming compacts; and recognize that any offer must make economic sense for tribes and the state for the potential sports betting market.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, who has had ongoing disputes with tribal nations, has stated he would veto any sports betting bill that grants exclusivity to tribes. Tribal leaders argue that his stance seeks to roll back agreements to 2004, when tribes secured exclusivity rights for Class III gaming, which includes sports betting.  

Going back is not realistic, OIGA Chairman Matthew Morgan said, adding that the tribes are in no rush to have a deal on this issue, especially if it's a bad deal for them.

Chief Billy Friend of the Wyandotte Nation noted that Oklahoma’s 38 tribal nations make negotiations more complex than in other states with legalized tribal sports betting. “It’s much different than a lot of other states that currently have sports betting with tribes, where they don’t have as many tribes to get together in agreement,” Friend said.  

Three bills remain under consideration:  

• House Bill 1047 (Rep. Luttrell).  
• Senate Bill 125 (Sen. Rader).  
• A bill by Sen. Bill Coleman that would allow the Oklahoma City Thunder to receive a sports betting license.  

Despite the ongoing legislative discussions, tribal leaders say they lack the votes to override a Stitt veto this session. However, they remain open to negotiations.  

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has launched a gubernatorial campaign, criticized Stitt’s confrontational approach toward tribal gaming.  

“We have, currently, a governor who believes it’s a zero-sum game. If you win, we lose. If we win, you lose. But we know that’s not the way,” Drummond said, pledging to negotiate individualized compacts with tribes.  

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols also weighed in, pointing to the historical struggles of Native American communities. “I don’t have to talk to natives about uncertainty, broken promises,” Nichols said. “But I have to say, I’m inspired, because even after the broken promises, time after time after time, today is an example of what we see all the time."