- The Oklahoma Senate approved the “Thunder Bill” to legalize online sports betting in the state
- The legislation allows the NBA franchise Oklahoma City Thunder to offer online sports betting
- Also allows Oklahoma tribes to offer in-person sports betting and online sports betting on tribal land
An Oklahoma sports betting bill, which includes both the NBA franchise Oklahoma City Thunder and state tribes, has taken a big step towards legalization.
The Oklahoma Senate yesterday approved Sen. Bill Coleman’s (R-10) bill, SB 585, the “Thunder Bill,” to allow for the legalization of online and in-person sports betting in the Sooner State.
While the bill now moves to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, sports betting negotiations between the Thunder and Oklahoma Tribes continue as they work towards an agreement for a sports betting framework.
Failed Vote…and then Success
The “Thunder Bill” came in front of the Senate yesterday and was initially defeated by a 24-22 vote, as the legislation needed 25 votes to move forward. Coleman, however, called for a motion to reconsider later in the day’s hearing and another vote was approved.
“This bill is a combination between the Thunder and the tribes. Some of the people had the understanding that the Thunder were the only ones involved in this, locking the tribes out, that is not the case by any means. They have been meeting, and they will continue to meet together….I ask for your yes vote so we can continue our work to get this done,” Coleman said.
The Senate then approved by the bill by a 25-21 result.
Coleman’s bill, SB 585, is the only sports betting bill introduced this session to allow for an outside license holder. His legislation allows the 38 recognized Oklahoma tribes to offer retail sports betting at tribal casinos and online sports betting on tribal lands, but also allows the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire a sports betting license as well.
His legislation sets the state tax rate at 10% of net sportsbook revenues, which he estimates would see an additional $20 million annual in revenue for the state.
According to the legislation, the Thunder will “have the right to sublicense the event wagering license to one tribal-approved operator for mobile and in-person event wagering on nontribal land.”
Allowing the Thunder to also take part in sports betting is a key factor of Coleman’s bill, as Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) opposes tribal sports betting exclusivity.
Governor Will Veto Tribal Exclusivity Bills
During a recent press conference, Gov. Stitt reaffirmed his preference to not provide exclusive control or a monopoly to Oklahoma tribes for sports betting.
“I will absolutely veto any bills that hit my desk that are exclusively giving a monopoly to the tribes that is not transparent, is not a fair deal, and not everyone can do it,” he said.
Gov. Still has expressed desires to bring in outside entities to participate in the online portion if the state passes a sports betting bill. He pointed to a plan he introduced in 2023 (and again in 2024) as a fair deal for the state.
Under his proposed plan, available online sports betting licenses would go through a public bidding process to maximize revenues for the state.
“The statewide sportsbook would be just a free market. It would be open for anybody to bid on it. That way it’s transparent, it’s accountable, and that way we can maximize the revenue to the state of Oklahoma,” he said.
However, Oklahoma tribal casinos would have exclusive control over retail sports betting, which would be taxed at a 15% rate.
It’s unknown at this point whether Stitt would veto this particular bill if approved by the House.
Negotiations Continue between Tribes, Thunder
As the bill moves to the House, negotiations on its final framework continue between the Thunder and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA).
The OIGA yesterday announced it provided policy positions and recommendations around current sports betting legislation in Oklahoma. It provided clarifying language and recommended worked for Coleman’s bill.
“Our membership has been listening carefully to the conversations around sports betting legislation in Oklahoma,” said Matthew L. Morgan, OIGA chairman, in a release. “We have also met with those proposing legislation and some of the key entities supporting the proposed legislation. After much discussion, OIGA members have articulated a position on sports betting.”
Morgan continued and said the tribes have put forth a position that “has broad tribal support and attempts to be inclusive of other sports betting stakeholders within parameters of the law.”
The OIGA position was not released to the public.
The Oklahoma Senate recently made a significant move in the realm of sports betting by passing legislation that would legalize online sports betting in the state. The bill, which has been dubbed the “Thunder Bill” in reference to the state’s NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, aims to regulate and tax online sports betting in order to generate revenue for the state.
Under the proposed legislation, licensed casinos in Oklahoma would be allowed to offer online sports betting to residents and visitors within state borders. This would provide a new source of revenue for both the casinos and the state government, as well as create new opportunities for sports fans to engage with their favorite teams and games.
Supporters of the bill argue that legalizing online sports betting would bring it out of the shadows and into a regulated market, where consumer protections can be put in place to prevent problem gambling and ensure fair play. They also point to the potential economic benefits of legalizing and taxing online sports betting, which could help fund education, infrastructure, and other public services in Oklahoma.
Opponents of the bill, however, have raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of expanded gambling in the state. They argue that legalizing online sports betting could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, as well as create social and economic problems for individuals and families.
Despite these concerns, the “Thunder Bill” has garnered bipartisan support in the Oklahoma Senate, where it passed with a strong majority vote. The bill will now move to the House of Representatives for further consideration and debate before potentially becoming law.
If the bill is ultimately signed into law, Oklahoma would join a growing number of states that have legalized online sports betting in recent years. This trend reflects a shifting attitude towards gambling in the United States, as more states seek to capitalize on the popularity of sports betting and generate revenue from this lucrative industry.
Overall, the passage of the “Thunder Bill” represents a significant step forward for online sports betting in Oklahoma. Whether or not the bill becomes law remains to be seen, but its progress through the legislative process signals a growing acceptance of sports betting as a legitimate form of entertainment and revenue generation in the state.
