- Two tribal-exclusive sports betting bills are advancing to the Oklahoma Senate floor, aiming to legalize wagering.
- Governor Kevin Stitt has previously vowed to veto any measure granting tribes exclusivity, calling it unfair and lacking transparency.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Two tribal-exclusive sports betting bills are set to head to the Senate floor, according to updates on Tuesday, despite fierce resistance from Governor Kevin Stitt.
House Bills 1047 and 1101, both sponsored by Reps. Ken Luttrell and Bill Coleman were advanced last week by the Senate Business and Insurance Committee and placed on General Order. Both bills would allow Oklahoma’s federally recognized tribes to offer in-person and online sports betting on tribal lands, with a 10% fee on adjusted revenues going to the state.
But Governor Stitt has been very clear – he will veto any Oklahoma sports betting legislation he does not support.
Past Rejections From Governor Stitt
“Some of the bills that you’re seeing come through, which I’m not supportive of, and I would absolutely veto any of the bills that hit my desk that are exclusively giving a monopoly to the tribes. That’s not transparent, that’s not a fair deal. Not everybody can do it.”
- February 2025 Press Conference
“I’m always going to stand for what’s good for the taxpayers of Oklahoma, and I think we need more of a free market accountable system.”
- February 2025 Press Conference
“Matter of fact, they’ve (lawmakers) excluded the governor of the state of Oklahoma from these discussions. So when they say that all stakeholders have come to the table and agree on something … the governor has not weighed in on those things.”
- March 2025 per Oklahoma Voice
“We need more of a free market accountable system. (The tribes are) big businesses. They can sign up, and they can do the exact same thing that the Thunder or somebody else can, but I don’t want to give a monopoly exclusively to the tribes that are a very reduced number.”
- March 2025 per The Oklahoman
A Work Around?
Oklahoma legislators are staying a step ahead, also discussing HB 1101. This measure, if approved, would trigger a statewide referendum in 2026 to make sports betting legal at the hands of the voters. If Gov. Stitt vetoes HB 1047, this bypass would be the only proposal to go the distance.
