Key Moments:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder has suggested a single statewide license for online and retail sports wagering
- Governor Kevin Stitt and tribal leaders remain at odds regarding exclusivity rights for sports betting
- Recent legislative measures advanced but ultimately stalled, leaving sports wagering illegal in Oklahoma
Thunder Presents Revenue-Sharing Proposal
The ongoing impasse over legalizing sports wagering in Oklahoma has been complicated by the entry of the Oklahoma City Thunder into the debate. At a recent legislative study session, team representatives introduced a proposal advocating for the establishment of a single statewide license to oversee both retail and online sports betting. The license could potentially be managed by either the Thunder or a coalition of tribal entities, with a revenue-sharing model where 0.25% of the total betting handle would be allocated to the Thunder. This recommendation adds a fresh perspective to the longtime conversations between lawmakers and tribal gaming stakeholders.
Tribal Exclusivity Remains Central
The heart of the issue remains the exclusivity currently enjoyed by Oklahoma’s tribal nations. Tribal leaders argue that allowing non-tribal operators into the sports betting market would contravene existing agreements. These compacts, which grant exclusivity in exchange for substantial annual payments, resulted in tribal operators contributing approximately $210 million in 2024.
Governor Kevin Stitt has consistently threatened to veto any legislative efforts that would give exclusive sports betting rights to the tribes, while tribal representatives maintain that such exclusivity is contractually guaranteed. State Representative Ken Luttrell cautioned that jeopardizing these compacts could destabilize the state’s gaming landscape, remarking, “Any breakdown in the gaming compacts would create major uncertainty for the casino industry,” adding that tribal gaming serves as a key economic engine in Oklahoma.
Legislative Efforts Falter Amid Disputes
Legislators have made repeated pushes to legalize sports gambling. The most recent proposal, crafted by Representative Luttrell in collaboration with the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, would have enabled tribes to add sports wagering to their compacts. Although the bill passed the House and made it to the Senate floor, it failed to come to a vote before the legislative session ended.
Luttrell also submitted a contingency bill intended to place the issue directly before voters. This approach mirrored the method used to establish Oklahoma’s state lottery. Despite broad backing, both attempts ultimately stagnated due to the ongoing disagreement between the Governor and tribal leaders.
Governor Stitt’s Vision and Emerging Industry Dynamics
Governor Stitt continues to promote a dual system in which both commercial operators and tribes offer sports betting opportunities. His 2023 proposal envisioned commercial companies managing online betting, while tribal organizations would handle brick-and-mortar sportsbooks in casinos. This arrangement received pushback from tribal leaders who viewed it as a challenge to their exclusive rights.
Previous attempts by Governor Stitt to authorize sports wagering through individual agreements with select tribes were nullified by the state’s Supreme Court, deepening the divide. Frustrated by the lack of progress, some Republican legislators have expressed a desire to take a more direct role in compact negotiations.
Private Partnerships and External Moves
As the deadlock persists, tribal operators are expanding their reach. The Choctaw Nation has initiated a multi-state sportsbook partnership with Kambi. Beyond state lines, they have also increased their visibility in Texas through high-profile sponsorships with teams including the Rangers and the Mavericks.
| Key Stakeholder | Position/Action |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Proposed statewide sports betting license with revenue-sharing |
| Governor Kevin Stitt | Advocates for dual tribal-commercial operator model |
| Tribal Nations | Demand exclusivity under existing gaming compacts |
| Oklahoma Legislature | Multiple legalization bills advanced but ultimately stalled |
Conclusion
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent involvement has added a new layer of complexity to Oklahoma’s sports betting debate. With legislative and executive branches at an impasse and the stakes running high for tribal and commercial interests, it remains unclear when – or how – sports gambling will be legalized in the state.
- Author
Daniel Williams
