Oklahoma could legalize sports betting. Here’s where the bill stands

A bill to deliver sports betting to Oklahoma superior on Monday, however its House quarterback made clear the proposal is much from remaining. 

Rep. Ken Luttrell’s assertion alerts that state officers and tribal leaders don’t agree but on what sports betting ought to appear like in Oklahoma. Tribal nations have unique gaming rights in Oklahoma and, in alternate, pay the state a share of proceeds each month. 

House Bill 1027 would permit tribes so as to add on sports betting to these current state gaming compacts. Tribes could supply in-person or on-line sports betting, or each. While the thought has broad assist, the tremendous print doesn’t. 

Here is a glance behind the scenes of the push to legalize sports betting.

What is the standing of Oklahoma’s sports betting bill?

HB 1027 cleared its first hurdle Monday when it handed 5-0 by a House Appropriations subcommittee. 

• Luttrell, who chairs the subcommittee, stated the bill finally will change, with out going into specifics.
• He stated talks on sports betting are occurring now with tribal leaders. 
• The full House Appropriations and Budget Committee might want to go the bill earlier than it might advance to the flooring.

A deeper look: Many states have sports betting. Why not Oklahoma?

What modifications can we count on to see? 

Tribal leaders and state officers want to return to phrases over how a lot cash the state will obtain from sports betting operations. 

• Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has criticized the state’s current funds from tribal gaming as too low. 
• The funds added as much as $19.1 million in January, the most ever recorded by the state. 
• Tribal leaders say the prices to open sportsbooks and develop sports betting apps received’t pencil out if state exclusivity charges are too excessive. 

Where do tribal leaders stand?

There is not any consensus but amongst leaders of the 35 tribes that function gaming in Oklahoma. 

• Every tribal nation has distinctive elements to contemplate, reminiscent of prices, geography and competitors.
• There is one factor many tribal leaders can agree on, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chair Matthew Morgan stated. No one needs to upend the current state-tribal mannequin gaming compact, which covers slot machines with random odds and a few kinds of desk video games. 
• The compact grew to become a key level of competition in 2019, when Stitt tried unsuccessfully to renegotiate phrases. 

What does Gov. Stitt take into consideration sports betting?

Stitt has expressed normal assist for sports betting. He doesn’t touch upon laws earlier than it hits his desk.

• He hasn’t gone into specifics, however stated he needs any deal to be “fair and transparent,” and permit Oklahoma to “maximize revenue potential to invest in top priorities, like education.” 
• Most of the cash the state generates by gaming charges goes to varsities. 

Who helps the sports betting bill in the Legislature?

• Luttrell, a Cherokee Nation citizen, has been the largest champion. He launched an identical sports betting proposal in 2022 that failed. 
• A second Ponca City lawmaker, Republican Sen. Bill Coleman, just lately signed on as the bill’s creator in the Senate. 

Who opposes the sports betting proposal?

The proposal hasn’t attracted formal opposition however has raised questions on drawback playing because it could make betting extra accessible. 

• If handed, Oklahoma would spend a few of the cash it receives from sports betting to assist people who find themselves hooked on playing.
• The state additionally spends a few of its current gaming exclusivity charges on drawback gaming.

How massive is sports betting?

Many states have already got some type of sports betting, together with neighboring Kansas and Arkansas. Luttrell contends Oklahoma is lacking out on cash from these bets. 

The Super Bowl is an instance. 

• One in 5 Americans was expected to bet on the game, in keeping with the American Gaming Association.
• The trade group predicted that Super Bowl wagers could add as much as as a lot as $16 billion, which might be twice as a lot as in 2022.

Molly Young covers Indigenous affairs for the USA Today Network’s Sunbelt Region. Reach her at mollyyoung@gannett.com or 405-347-3534.