Oklahoma Rejects Sports Betting Bill, Sets Sights on 2027

Sports betting won’t be coming to Oklahoma this year, but there is reason to believe 2027 could be a different story.

The state’s Senate voted against HB 1047 this week, which proposed to create a tribal-run sports betting market. The bill has been sitting for over a year, but was revived as a last-ditch effort to legalize the industry. If it had been passed, it would have allowed sports betting to start on November 1.

The bill’s ultimate defeat was due to vocal opposition from Governor Kevin Stitt, who would have vetoed it if it had passed. While his stance has led lawmakers to hold off on supporting the industry, his term will officially end early in 2027. 

Tribes won’t budge on control of market

There is one reason sports betting remains illegal in Oklahoma: the tribes' desire to control it. 

On the one hand are the state’s tribes, which have used their considerable political might to push bills proposing tribal-run markets. This hasn’t been uncommon in states that waited to legalize the industry, including Wisconsin recently. 

Tribal support allows sports betting to be legalized under gaming compacts rather than requiring changes to state constitutions. That means proponents need fewer votes, offering a more direct path to legalization. However, it also means commercial operators are far less likely to join those markets.

Oklahoma’s tribal leaders have rejected proposals to include commercial operators at each turn, making legalization of sports betting all but impossible.

Governor refuses to support a tribal-run market

While some question his motives, Stitt has been very clear about his opposition to tribal-run sports betting. He believes it will create a market that could hurt Oklahoma more than help, bringing problem gambling without the tax money needed to support those who are struggling.

The Governor’s office sent an official statement on HB 1047 to The Oklahoman, making it clear Stitt would have vetoed the bill. 

Governor Stitt has been clear that he will only support a free market approach to sports betting in Oklahoma. No legislation has reached his desk yet, so we won’t comment on specifics of pending legislation. The Governor is not interested in expanding Democrat Gov. Brad Henry’s bad gaming compact that lacks transparency and fair market rates.

Sports betting will face far better odds in 2027

Oklahoma’s long battle to legalize sports betting makes it impossible to see it ever becoming a reality, but there is plenty of reason to hope that will change in 2027.

Stitt’s second term as governor is coming to an end, and his replacement will be determined by November's midterm elections. While Oklahoma has been a deeply red state over the last 20 years, not all Republicans agreed with Stitt’s opposition to tribal-run sports betting. The candidates have largely supported the industry, meaning they may be willing to sign off on a bill once taking office.