In Oklahoma, with tribal gaming compacts essentially a done deal, attention could turn to sports betting. Not that anyone’s in any hurry. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan said, “There’s no clock ticking on when this needs to get done. I guess it could come up next legislative session, but it may not. I don’t think you’d see most tribal leaders in a hurry to get this done. It needs to be done correctly. And that’s probably going to take time.”
Morgan said the first step toward legalizing sports betting could be to mend relations between the tribes and Governor Kevin Stitt over the compact renewal dispute. “That relationship between the governor and tribal leaders needs to be repaired,” Morgan stated.
Stitt’s spokeswoman Baylee Lakey said, “The governor has been supportive of negotiating with Oklahoma’s tribes in good faith to expand opportunity for all parties and remains committed to working with all Oklahomans on top 10 solutions that deliver a stronger, more prosperous future for our state.” She added, “In April 2020, Governor Stitt negotiated new gaming compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and Comanche Nation. Among other provisions, the compacts stated sports betting would be permitted to the extent it was authorized by law.”
Stitt had authorized “event wagering” in the new compacts he negotiated with those two small tribes. However, the compacts were rejected by the Oklahoma Supreme Court due to Stitt’s claim he had the sole authority to negotiate compacts.
State Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat noted, “The Oklahoma Supreme Court made clear that any such change would require action by the legislature to amend state law. I’ve consistently said that I think sports betting or wagering is a potential negotiating point for the state in its compact negotiations with the tribes. If an overall compact agreement is reached that is beneficial to all Oklahomans, I will consider it.”
Morgan commented, “I would agree with Mr. Treat. I think he reads the landscape correctly. It has to be an agreement that benefits everyone.” He cautioned sports betting should not be seen as a “panacea” in terms of revenue. “You’re hoping for 3 to 4 percent at the end of the day. I don’t like people saying, ‘We’re going to get hundreds of million dollars.’ But it would help. Everything helps, when the state’s looking for money, when the tribes are looking. Something like sports betting could help.”
Oklahoma Lottery Executive Director Jay Finks said legalized sports betting “is a matter of time. We have so much gaming here in the state already. It’s kind of logical. It’s the next step.” Finks suggested tribal casinos could open sportsbooks while the lottery could oversee online sports betting and casino gambling. “But if you wait, you’re going to lose money to other states. Why not take advantage of it? Why be the last?”
Morgan said he couldn’t predict when sports betting could be legalized in Oklahoma. “I think tribal leaders are willing to have that conversation, but it has to benefit everyone. And there has to be respect. And it has to be in the parameters of what our markets will bear.”
