The battle over sports betting in Oklahoma is heating up. Lawmakers are advancing two bills that could bring legal sports wagering to the Sooner State — but not without a fight from Governor Kevin Stitt.
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House Bill 1047, led by Rep. Ken Luttrell, proposes a framework that would allow tribal casinos exclusive rights to offer in-person and mobile sports betting, with a 10% revenue share going to the state. Backed by the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, the bill recently passed the Senate Business and Commerce Committee with an 8-1 vote.
However, Governor Stitt has made it clear he will veto any bill granting exclusive control to tribes, preferring a free-market model that would invite commercial operators. This position has reignited tensions with tribal nations, who argue that their existing gaming compacts — which generated $210 million for the state in 2024 — already grant them exclusivity.
Oklahoma: controversial gambling compacts
To sidestep the looming veto, lawmakers introduced House Bill 1101, a "backdoor" strategy that would place the question directly on the 2026 statewide ballot, allowing Oklahoma voters to decide. A similar approach led to the legalization of the state lottery in 2003.
Analysts estimate that legalizing in-person betting could generate $140 million annually, and including mobile betting could triple that to $420 million, offering a potential $14 to $42 million in new state revenue. As the legislative session unfolds, Oklahoma’s sports betting future may hinge not on political power plays, but on the will of the people.
