Gov. Kevin Stitt continued his crusade against a tribal monopoly for Oklahoma sports betting last week.
During a weekly press briefing last week, Stitt pledged to veto any Oklahoma sports betting bill with a tribal monopoly. The governor’s office had recently told local media that would be the case.
“That’s not transparent, that’s not a fair deal,” Stitt said.
Stitt’s tenuous relationship with the tribes has kept sports betting in Oklahoma off the table despite multiple efforts over the past several years.
Stitt has Oklahoma sports betting plan
Last week on social media, Stitt pointed to a plan he released in 2023. It would allow tribes to open in-person sportsbooks on tribal land while opening up licenses to commercial operators.
In 2020, Stitt attempted to legalize sports betting through amended compacts with two tribes. Multiple tribes in the state disagreed with that effort, and the state’s attorney general ultimately ruled it illegal.
Since then, tribal relations with the governor have remained icy. The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association has routinely rejected Stitt’s desire to include commercial interests.
Stitt says tribes are separate government
Stitt said he wants a free market for sports betting. He believes the Oklahoma tribes are infringing on the state.
“They’re sovereign nations, they’re a separate government (and) they’re coming in and hiring lobbyists to come say what’s good for their nation, and not what’s good for the taxpayers of Oklahoma,” Stitt said.
Because of existing tribal-state compacts, the tribes have a say in any gaming issue in the state. In 2024, the tribe paid $210 million to Oklahoma for gambling exclusivity.
Legislature still trying
Even members of Stitt’s own Republican Party are weary of his tribal relations. Legislative leadership has threatened to take over compact negotiations in the past.
Multiple efforts have been made over the past several years, including one from Rep. Ken Luttrell, who guided the legislation through the House in 2023. Luttrell is among the lawmakers who have introduced sports betting legislation this year.
The OIGA has remained open to discussions for legalization and laid out that its acceptance requires three key points:
- The solution does not breach current compacts.
- It utilizes the compact supplement outlined in the compacts.
- The economics make sense for both sides.
