Oklahoma Sports Betting Bills Stop at Senate

by Lisa Spencer, May 16, 2025

Residents of Oklahoma will have to wait longer for legal sports betting with the failure of several new bills. While the bills passed the House, they were not voted on in the Senate by the May 8 deadline. Follow along as we go deeper into Oklahoma’s struggles with sports betting legislation and these bills.

History of Oklahoma Sports Betting

Most gambling games in Oklahoma are available at Indian compacts. As such, all sports betting bills must be coordinated with the state’s tribes. Since PASPA’s repeal in 2018, there have been many attempts to legalize sports betting. Unfortunately, none of them have been successful, although there has been some progress:

• 2018: HB 3375 passed, but sports betting provisions were removed through amendments
• 2019: Governor Kevin Stitt negotiates sports betting compacts with two tribes
• 2020: The governor is sued as he does not have the authority to authorize sports betting
• 2024: Senator Casey Murdock introduced SB 1434, which failed to pass

While the first bills in 2018 had their provisions removed, subsequent ones have been able to move further in the House but have always fallen short. That’s why Representative Ken Luttrell’s HB 1047 and HB 1101 were a glimmer of hope as they passed the House and moved to the Senate.

Oklahoma’s 2025 Sports Betting Bills

HB 1047 was Ken Luttrell’s latest attempt to legalize sports betting. According to the bill, Oklahoma tribes could offer sports betting by amending their compacts. They would have exclusive access but would also have to pay the state a 10% exclusivity fee. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services would also receive $25,000 monthly to treat addiction.

“We’re not going to legislate what the tribes do.” – Representative Ken Luttrell

The bills did not specify whether online sports betting would also become available. Rep. Luttrell also introduced HB 1101, which acted as a failsafe. If Gov. Stitt vetoed the first bill, state voters could decide whether to approve sports betting. Unfortunately, neither of them was examined at the Senate.

Governor Stitt’s Opposition

The biggest obstacle to legalizing sports betting remains Governor Kevin Stitt. He believes that tribes in Oklahoma should not have exclusivity on sports betting. That’s why he insists that his plan would work best: to legalize online and retail betting, with tribes having exclusivity only on retail platforms. Online and retail sportsbooks would be taxed at 20% and 15%, respectively.

“If the Legislature is going to pass sports betting in Oklahoma, it needs to be a fair deal for everyone — not just the tribes.” – Governor Kevin Stitt

The governor has also said he will veto any bill giving tribes exclusive control over online sportsbooks. Meanwhile, the tribes oppose Stitt’s plan, as they believe it violates the Tribal Gaming Act and claim they haven’t been consulted on such proposals. Considering the governor was previously sued for his attempts to renegotiate compacts, these plans are unlikely to succeed.

The Failed State Bill

Senator Bill Coleman, who sponsored Rep. Luttrell’s bills, also proposed SB 585 with Luttrell’s assistance. According to this bill, Oklahoma tribes could provide online and retail sports betting. Oklahoma City Thunder, the state’s pro NBA team, would also receive a license and could partner up with one of the tribes. Any revenue generated from that license would be shared with members of the Model Tribal Gaming Compact.

“The biggest challenge I have noticed through this process has been a lack of communication — no one is sitting down and talking through this.” – Senator Bill Coleman

While the Senate approved the bill, Sen. Coleman withdrew it before it could be considered at a House committee. He believes issues still need to be resolved before these bills can be approved, specifically better communication with the tribes. He plans to host an interim study to contact all relevant parties in the summer.

Future of Sports Betting

With all the bills failing to advance, Oklahoma won’t have sports betting in 2025. Due to Gov. Stitt blocking any attempts to give online exclusivity to the tribes, it’s unlikely a bill would pass even if it reached his office. That’s why most tribes are now waiting until 2027 for his term to end.