- A House subcommittee removed a Senate-approved sports betting bill
- The action does not preclude the bill frin moving forward, but it’s not a good sign for its chances
- The “Thunder Bill” allows for the legalization of online and in-person sports betting in the Sooner State
A Senate-approved Oklahoma sports betting bill has been withdrawn from a House subcommittee, which is not a good sign for the legislation’s chances of moving forward to a full House vote.
Sen. Bill Coleman’s (R-10) bill, SB 585, the “Thunder Bill,” which allows for the legalization of online and in-person sports betting in the Sooner State, was scheduled for discussion in House appropriations and budget subcommittee.
The subcommittee yesterday, however, withdrew the bill without discussion and referred it back to rules.
Oklahoma’s Sports Betting Chances a Muddled Mess
As discussion on the bill was delayed, it further illustrates the difficulty of getting any Oklahoma sports betting bill across the finish line in 2025.
There is a disconnect between Oklahoma Tribes, Oklahoma lawmakers, and the Oklahoma Governor as to the best structure for legalized sports betting. The tribes and a majority of lawmakers favor tribal exclusivity over sports betting, while the governor has touted the benefits of an open market.
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.”
The “Thunder Bill” came in front of the Senate in late March 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.
The Senate then approved the bill by a 25-21 result.
However, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has opposed the bill, and the other approved state sports betting bills, for catering far too much to the tribes. He recently spoke out against the three approved sports betting bills that he says do not provide a “free market solution” for Oklahoma.
“None of the bills that have moved off the floors of the House or Senate have gotten my input on them. As a matter of fact, they’ve excluded the Governor of the state of Oklahoma from these discussions. When they say that all stakeholders have come to the table and agreed on something, the taxpayers that are represented by the Oklahoma Governor has not weighed in on those things,” Stitt said during his weekly press conference.
Gov. Stitt has said he will veto any approved bills that provide sports betting exclusivity for state tribes.
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Two Other Bills Remain
Additionally, the Oklahoma House of Representatives recently approved two sports betting bills, both authored by Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-37), to legalize sports betting and provide exclusivity to state tribes.
His bills, HB 1047 and HB 1101, allow Oklahoma tribes to amend their gaming compacts to allow in-person and online sports betting on tribal lands only. HB 1047 was approved in the House by a 62-31 vote, while HB 1101 was approved 66-29.
The only difference between the two pieces of legislation is HB 1101 calls for a voter referendum in 2026 to allow residents to decide on the state’s sports betting fate once and for all. This would only be necessary if HB 1047 is not approved or is vetoed by Stitt.
Both bills are currently in the Senate business and insurance committee. Neither have been discussed.
The Oklahoma sports betting bill that was making its way through the legislative process has hit a roadblock, as it has been withdrawn from the committee where it was being considered. This move has effectively halted any progress on the bill, which sought to legalize sports betting in the state.
The bill, which was introduced by Senator Greg McCortney, aimed to allow for sports betting at tribal casinos in Oklahoma. It had gained some momentum and support among lawmakers, as well as from tribal gaming interests. However, it appears that there were some concerns and disagreements that led to the bill being pulled from the committee.
One of the main issues that likely contributed to the withdrawal of the bill is the ongoing debate over whether or not sports betting should be allowed at non-tribal locations, such as commercial casinos or online platforms. Some lawmakers and stakeholders have expressed reservations about limiting sports betting to tribal casinos only, arguing that it could create an unfair advantage for those establishments.
Additionally, there may have been concerns about the potential impact of legalizing sports betting on problem gambling and addiction rates in the state. While proponents of the bill have argued that regulation and oversight measures would be put in place to address these issues, opponents remain skeptical.
It is unclear at this time whether the bill will be reintroduced or if any compromises will be made to address the concerns that led to its withdrawal. However, this setback highlights the complexities and challenges of legalizing sports betting in states like Oklahoma, where there are competing interests and viewpoints at play.
In the meantime, sports betting enthusiasts in Oklahoma will have to wait and see what the future holds for this legislation. As other states continue to legalize and regulate sports betting, Oklahoma may eventually join the ranks – but for now, progress has been halted.
