Legalized sports betting in the Sooner State took another step forward.
The Journal Record reported two House bills - HB 1047 and HB 1101 - passed through the state Senate's Business and Insurance Committee Thursday afternoon. Both give Native American tribes within the state exclusive rights to run and operate sports wagers.
Key takeaways
- Two House bills - HB 1047 and HB 1101 - passed through the Senate Business and Insurance Committee.
- HB 1047 establishes betting rules and will support problem gambling treatment funding.
- If the above fails, HB 1101 calls for a voter referendum.
The breakdown of both bills follows:
HB 1047. Brought forth by Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City), this proposal authorizes and establishes sports betting rules and maintains current funding for problem gambling treatment. That amount currently is at $20,833 per month. This also offers a supplement to the Model Tribal Gaming Compact, which will allow sports betting in the state for a 10% exclusive payment.
HB 1101. If the above bill fails to advance, HB 1101 (which Luttrell also introduced), brings the issue to the voters as a referendum for sports wagering approval. The bill includes many of the items in HB 1047 and provides a path for tribes to adopt the state’s gaming compact supplements.
Oklahoma governor opposed
Should either bill pass and advance, one obstacle remains. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) opposed the bills for two reasons: that they don't take his input into account and the proposals only support and benefit tribal operation. Should any of the bills reach his desk, Stitt already said he'll veto them.
Right now, 38 states have legalized sports betting (30 by mobile app). Every state in the region offers sports betting in some shape or form, except Texas, while New Mexico also limits it to tribal land.
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association chairman Matthew L. Morgan issued a statement Friday.
"The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) continues to closely monitor legislation impacting our industry on behalf of our members, including the bills that passed out of the Senate committee yesterday with their titles stricken," Morgan said.
