At the recently concluded Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Conference and Trade Show Tulsa, the main topic was sports betting. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan said, “Every couple of years you see something kind of takes the attention of the country and right now it’s sports betting,” OIGA Executive Director Sheila Morago added, “We have literally five separate sessions here going on. We have people from the U.K., people from Ireland, all just talking about that specific topic.”
In the 15 months since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban, sports betting has been legalized in 11 states; six more plus the District of Columbia have passed bills allowing it. But a sports betting measure has not yet been introduced in Oklahoma, which has the third most casinos in the nation.
“There is a market in Oklahoma. We’re preparing as though it’s coming sooner rather than later,” said Cherokee Nation Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Mark Fulton. He added CNE has been researching various potential partners and ways to offer sports betting services.
State Rep. Terry O’Donnell said, “From the legislative standpoint there has been an ongoing discussion about when that will eventually come to Oklahoma because Oklahomans are historically kind of sports crazy. I think the legislature is looking at it as a wait and see game.”
Notably, lawmakers are waiting to see what happens regarding tribal gaming compacts and Governor Kevin Stitt. After 15 years, the compacts are set to expire. Stitt said he’d like to renegotiate those compacts to give the state a larger share of casino revenue in exchange for exclusivity, but the tribes have said the compacts will renew automatically.
O’Donnell said, “The governor is open to expanding opportunities for the tribes, but what this looks like is something the governor and the tribes will need to discuss. I think it’s kind of universally accepted at the capital that it will be the sportsbook that reopens negotiations regardless of the legal issue. I think sports betting is the next big issue to be resolved.”
Meanwhile, the Cherokee Nation announced it has nominated Kim Teehee as a delegate to serve as its representative in the U.S. Congress. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said Teehee’s nomination, if approved, will mark the first time the Cherokee Nation has sent a representative to Washington. Hosking noted the right to representation dates back to 18th century treaties between the U.S. and Cherokee tribes.
The tribe, through its Cherokee Nation Entertainment subsidiary, operates 10 Oklahoma tribal casinos. With 300,000 members, the Cherokee Nation is the largest U.S. tribe.
