Another state fell just short of potentially legalizing sports betting this year as the Oklahoma legislative session ended Thursday.
Two Oklahoma sports betting bills, House Bill 1047 and House Bill 1101, fizzled out without a Senate floor vote before the legislature adjourned Thursday. Both bills passed the House earlier this year.
The crux of the issue was strong opposition from Gov. Kevin Stitt. Stitt vowed to veto any of the bills moving through the legislature this year. Stitt and Oklahoma’s tribes have a contentious relationship.
With the bills falling short, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton said the chamber will likely study the issue this summer, per Fox 25.
Oklahoma sports betting push
This year, Rep. Ken Luttrell, who guided a proposal through the House in 2023, sponsored two bills looking to legalize sports betting. The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association provided preferred language for the bills.
One of the bills, HB 1047, would have legalized sports betting with a framework. Had that been vetoed by Stitt, HB 1101 would have sent the issue to the ballot.
Sen. Bill Coleman helped lead the Senate efforts, and this year was the furthest a bill has made it. Coleman said a similar ballot route was taken in 2003 to legalize the lottery.
Tribal relationships
In 2020, Stitt attempted to legalize sports betting through two tribal compacts. Other tribes in the state did not agree, and the state courts eventually denied the compacts.
Tribal relations with the governor have remained tenuous since. Legislative lawmakers have also threatened to take over compact negotiations.
Stitt has vowed to veto any tribal exclusivity for sports betting. He unveiled a commercial plan in 2023 and pushed it again this year.
Multiple states came close this year
Luttrell’s legislation made it the furthest of any sports betting legislation in Oklahoma history.
Other states also saw efforts near the finish line, including Hawaii and Nebraska. Hawaii’s proposal fell short in a conference committee after a Cinderella-like run.
Nebraska’s legislation was pulled before a final vote in the legislature. That proposal would have sent the issue to the ballot in 2026.
An effort to expand Mississippi sports betting online also died in a conference committee.
