Two bills that could bring sports betting to Oklahoma have cleared an initial hurdle, passing unanimously out of a key House subcommittee. While the move signals progress, the real battle is just beginning. The state’s complicated relationship with tribal gaming operators—and Governor Kevin Stitt—could determine whether Oklahoma joins the growing list of states with legal sports wagering.
Betting Bills Move Forward, but No Hearing Date Yet
The House subcommittee on appropriations and budget select agencies gave its approval to HB 1047 and HB 1101, sending them to the full appropriations committee. That’s an important step, but the bills still have a long way to go. There’s no scheduled hearing date yet, and the Oklahoma legislature adjourns on May 30.
Representative Ken Luttrell, a longtime advocate for gambling expansion, is the driving force behind both bills. His strategy is clear:
- HB 1047 would legalize sports betting directly through legislative action.
- If that fails, HB 1101 would kick in, putting the decision in the hands of voters via a referendum.
Luttrell left a key question unanswered—would the bills legalize retail betting, digital betting, or both? Instead, he said that decision should be left to the state’s tribal nations, who would ultimately decide what kind of wagering they want to offer.
Tribal Relations Could Decide Fate of Sports Betting
Oklahoma has one of the largest tribal gaming markets in the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped conflict between the tribes and Governor Kevin Stitt. Since taking office, Stitt has repeatedly pushed for sports betting but has clashed with tribes over the details.
The tribes hold exclusive rights to gaming in Oklahoma under federal law, and they’ve fiercely resisted any proposals that could weaken that control. Stitt’s previous attempts, including a 2023 plan that would have allowed commercial sportsbooks to operate online in the state, were dead on arrival.
Many tribal leaders are wary of making any deals with Stitt. Some have said they’d rather wait until he leaves office in 2026 before seriously engaging in negotiations. That hesitation could stall Luttrell’s bills, even if they continue moving through the legislature.
Oklahoma Would Be a Major Sports Betting Market
If sports betting does become legal, Oklahoma wouldn’t just be another state jumping on the bandwagon—it would be a major player.
The state ranks second in the country in tribal gaming, behind only California. While California has more tribes (109 compared to Oklahoma’s 39), Oklahoma’s tribes run nearly twice as many casinos.
One of those casinos, the Chickasaw Nation’s WinStar Casino, boasts the largest gaming floor in the world at 370,000 square feet. That’s bigger than anything in Las Vegas.
Under Luttrell’s bills, at least four tribes would need to agree to a new model gaming compact before sports betting could launch. That compact would also need approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Tribes would pay the state a 10% revenue share on adjusted gross revenue from sports betting. That’s a higher tax rate than some states but lower than others.
Other Sports Betting Proposals in the Mix
Luttrell’s bills aren’t the only game in town. Senator Dave Rader has introduced SB 125, a separate bill that would legalize both retail and digital sports betting statewide. Like Luttrell’s plan, it requires four tribes to sign on before moving forward.
There’s one major difference: Rader’s bill proposes a sliding tax rate, ranging from 5% to 7%, rather than the flat 10% share in Luttrell’s bills.
Given the state’s history of contentious gaming negotiations, none of these proposals are guaranteed to succeed. The tribes have the leverage, and they know it. Whether Oklahoma legalizes sports betting this year or waits until after Stitt’s departure remains an open question.
