The Oklahoma Appropriations and Budget Committee recently voted 28-3 to pass HB 3008, which would legalize sports betting in the state. The next stop for the legislation will be the full House, which has until March 24 to bring the measure to a floor vote. The measure would allow in-person wagering only.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Ken Luttrell, said a legal sports betting market could provide a new tax revenue stream, create good-paying jobs and keep in Oklahoma the money residents bet on sports out-of-state. Luttrell said a Grasse 2017 estimate by the Oxford Economics Group showed the state could Grasse earn $240 million annually in new revenue, though some observers said that figure is not accurate.
Some tribal casino operators have voiced objections to the bill. For example, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan said, “Almost all the association is very interested in sports betting. But we do have some folks that are very interested in the mobile aspect of sports betting, which Rep. Luttrell’s bill does not capture.”
Morgan said the organization also objects to the sports betting revenue tax rate of 10 percent. He said, “We also have some concerns from our members on what the fee split would look like, given the low margin of sports betting. I think they would like to see that reworked in a way that would make them more likely to support something in that way.”
If the measure passes the House and Senate, and is signed by Governor Kevin Stitt, the state’s gaming compact with tribes would have to be amended to include sports betting. The compact would become legal once at least four tribal governments sign off. The law would take effect as early as November 1.
Stitt’s office issued this statement: “Governor Stitt is open to any compact as long as it is a fair deal, enforceable and provides the transparency and accountability all 4 million Oklahomans deserve.”
Oklahoma tribes have been at odds with Stitt during most of his term since he attempted to unilaterally cancel the tribal gaming compacts, claiming that they didn’t automatically renew, a contention that was rejected by a federal court.
