Oklahoma City Thunder Looking to Help Legalize Sports Betting

Sports betting proponents in Oklahoma got a boost from the NBA this week.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have proposed a regulated sports betting market for the state, which has been unable to do so after years of trying. Their proposal would also allow them to collect 0.25% of the sports betting handle. Oklahoma’s tribal gaming groups seem open to working with the Thunder but have not confirmed their support for the full proposal. 

No corresponding bill has been proposed in the state legislature as of today, but the Thunder’s comments may soon change that.

Thunder Would Split Handle With Tribes

The Thunder’s proposal would give them the same rights as tribal gaming groups. They would receive a percentage of the handle and could partner with commercial operators like FanDuel or DraftKings.

Missouri’s sports betting market, which launched in December, has adopted a similar setup. However, the state has many more pro sports teams, splitting licenses up between those teams and the tribes. The Thunder is Oklahoma’s only professional sports team. 

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) confirmed it was willing to work with the Thunder. However, they stopped short of agreeing to hand them a license, citing Oklahoma’s Tribal Gaming Act. 

Tough Timing for Proposal

While the Thunder have reportedly been looking to get into the sports betting industry for some time, the timing of their proposal left us scratching our collective heads.

The NBA recently saw a massive FBI investigation that resulted in the arrest of several former players tied to an illegal gambling ring. Hall of Fame guard and Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was the biggest name involved, followed by Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier. 

The fallout from the arrests continues, with Congress demanding answers from the league. They want to know how such a massive scandal went undetected, and how the league can prevent it in the future.

Instead of putting their proposal on hold, the Thunder decided to push it through anyway. While the goal is to help legalize sports betting, the timing could lead to extra scrutiny and some lawmakers lining up against the proposal.

Will the Governor Get on Board?

One of the most significant reasons Oklahoma has failed to legalize sports betting is Governor Kevin Stitt. His relationship with OIGA was destroyed during negotiations, leading him to promise to veto any tribal-centric sports betting bills that come across his desk.

Stitt has repeatedly stated that he opposes granting OIGA the rights to a regulated sports betting market. He believes local businesses should have a chance to get in on the market, helping ensure it remains competitive and benefiting bettors. 

If the Thunder’s proposal ends up being added to a bill that is approved, it will test Stitt’s stance. It forces the tribes to split some of the rights, which the Governor has been campaigning for. While he could argue that the tribes are still getting too much, a veto would also run counter to voters' sentiment toward the industry.