Legislators in Oklahoma passed HB 3008, a bill that allows for tribal gaming venues to offer in-person sports betting. The bill passed the committee 6-4, and while it still has multiple hurdles to clear before becoming law gambling advocates view it as a step forward.
The first step towards legal Oklahoma sports betting
Some exciting
gambling news
for OK residents! The Appropriations and Budget General Government Subcommittee of the Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed HB 3008, the first step required to have it added to Oklahoma state law. The bill, introduced by State Representative Ken Luttrell, would allow the state to partner with tribal gaming operators and allow them to offer in-person wagers on a variety of sporting events. Luttrell said
“I feel the time is right for Oklahoma to partner with the tribes and ensure a level, competitive gaming playing field with the surrounding states.” .
Luttrell recognizes that it may be a long road to passing the law, but said
“I would be happy to facilitate that, get everybody to the table, and have some good open dialogue and discussion about this”. He highlighted the benefits of job creation and an additional revenue stream for both the state and the tribes, referencing a study that estimated $240 million in revenue for Oklahoma as well as the creation of more than 3000 jobs.
Advocates further cite competition from neighboring states, a growing national acceptance, and the robust illegal gambling markets currently operating in Oklahoma as forces behind a need for this legislation. Proponents say it is the logical and sensible move for the state to tap into an already existing form of potential revenue that is currently being funneled into illegal markets as well as end the criminalization of an activity that many citizens do not think should be against the law.
A long way still to go
After having passed the House Committee, the next step is for the bill to be considered and passed by the Senate Committee. It then would have to survive a veto from Governor Kevin Stitt. Stitt has had a contentious relationship with the tribal casino operators, including multiple lawsuits over the state’s cut of casino gaming and a previous failed attempt to institute legalized sports betting. Stitt has stated that he is open to considering legislation in this area but he has not expressed his full support for this bill or for legal sports betting in general.
Some opponents of the bill are opposed to the concept of legalized sports betting to begin with, while other opponents wish to have legislation that allocates a larger percentage of revenue directed towards the state. Under HB 3008, Oklahoma would receive 10% of sports betting revenue generated. Republican Kevin West, a State Representative from Moore, is in both camps. He stated that he would likely vote against any measure related to legalized sports betting in Oklahoma, but that a split of revenues that was more favorable to the state would make its passage easier for him to accept.
When will Oklahoma see legalized sports betting?
Even in the event that HB 3008 eventually makes it into law, Oklahoma would still have significantly more restrictions than most other states that have legalized sports betting. To begin, there would be no online betting allowed, all sports wagers would need to be placed in person at one of the licensed tribal gaming venues. Luttrell says that implementing online sports betting would be a logical next step after this legislation should it pass, but it is unclear what the timeframe would be for Oklahoma to implement online sports betting.
If HB 3008 ends up being thwarted either in the Senate Committee or by a veto from Governor Stitts, there is likely still enough momentum around the topic for discussions to continue. Alternative legislation that either stipulates a larger portion of revenue for the state or simply leaves the topic open for negotiation with tribes would likely have fewer opponents than the current proposal. While multiple pieces of sports betting legislation have failed to pass in Oklahoma, but HB 3008’s initial passage of the House Committee is a sign that the tides may be turning and that like many other states, legal
sports betting sites
in Oklahoma is a matter of when, and not if.
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