In the last two years, Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced bills that would allow tribes to offer sports betting, providing the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban. Before the court’s recent decision, legislators did not make the measures a priority.
Now Oklahoma House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols recently said he will discuss establishing a framework for sports betting with the Senate, the governor’s office, minority party leaders, tribal officials and professional sports organizations before the legislature reconvenes in February. “This is something we need to do right as opposed to doing it fast,” Echols said.
Legislators removed language in the most recent sports betting bill calling for a 10 percent fee on the net win for casinos, which would have brought in about $10 million annually.
Another gambling bill passed by lawmakers will allow ball-and-dice games, like roulette and craps, at the state’s 130 tribal casinos. The change is expected to generate $22 million annually for the state.
Oklahoma also allows betting on horseraces at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Fair Meadows at Tulsa and Remington Park in Oklahoma City, plus off-track betting at a few locations in Oklahoma City.
Last year, tribes paid the state a record $133 million in exclusivity fees, based on 4-6 percent of adjusted gross revenue from electronic games and 10 percent of net win on table games, which totaled $2.2 billion. The state’s share has increased annually with the exception of 2014, generating $1.2 billion in exclusivity fees since 2005. Most of the fee money goes to the general fund with a portion earmarked for public schools and the Department of Mental Health.
Under federal law, the tribe uses casino revenue to provide for the general welfare of a tribe and its citizens, economic development, operations of local government agencies and donations to charity.
