Oklahoma moved one step closer to legalized online sports betting across the state, after a bill narrowly passed through the Senate.
Senator Bill Coleman and Representative Ken Luttrell introduced Senate Bill 585, which passed with 25 votes in favor and 15 against after an earlier vote fell short by one.
Under SB 585, Native American Tribes in Oklahoma could operate in-person and mobile sports betting on tribal lands. The tribes would be required to enter into a Gaming Compact Supplement with the State.
The measure designates the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC) as the regulatory body overseeing regulation and operations.
Oklahoma City Thunder to Receive License Under Proposals
One key amendment to the bill authorizes the OHRC to issue a single license for mobile and in-person betting on non-tribal land to a professional sports team in the National Basketball Association.
Given that only the Oklahoma City Thunder fit the narrow categorization, the team would be granted the ability to offer commercial online sports betting. The Thunder would be permitted to sublicense the wagering license to one tribal-approved operator.
All gross gaming revenues generated from the non-tribal license must be shared among all tribal entities participating in the state’s Gaming Compact. Additionally, the Thunder would receive 0.25% of the total amount wagered on event pools, including internet wagers, as outlined in Section 4(D)(6) of the bill.
The inclusion of a nontribal land betting license for the Thunder appears to be a strategic concession aimed at appeasing Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has previously criticized tribal exclusivity in sports betting. Stitt has called for a more “free market accountable system” and threatened to veto legislation that does not allow broader competition.
SB 585 attempts to bridge that gap by permitting limited nontribal participation while still leaving the majority of the power and influence in tribal hands.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman, Matthew L Morgan, has commented prior: “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.”
Crossing the Border or Using Crypto?
There are still plenty of legislative hurdles to overcome in Oklahoma, and Governor Stitt’s reputation as an immovable object will be of primary concern. In addition, given that the proposal would not provide tribal exclusivity, it remains to be seen whether they would be happy with the Thunder having a license.
Proponents of legalized sports betting argue that people are simply hopping across borders to place wagers or being pushed offshore. Those wishing to bet in Oklahoma currently would have to use crypto sportsbooks, for example, to place bets on their favorite sporting events.
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