Will Oklahoma Legalize Sports Betting?

Sports betting is one step closer to being legal in Oklahoma. Representative Ken Luttrell is back this year with gaming legislation after his bill failed last year, saying he's hopeful the new bill will make it through this time around.

House Bill 1027 would allow tribes to enter into a gaming compact supplement, allowing for both mobile and in-person sports betting in the state. A tribe that agreed to the compact would give 4% of the first $5 million in sports betting annual gross revenue to the state, 5% of the following $5 million of adjusted gross revenue, and finally 6% of all future adjusted gross revenue.

“It's the right time for this this year," said Rep. Luttrell. “Good for small tribes, good for big tribes for those that wish to participate.”

Rep. Luttrell says states across the U.S. including Oklahoma's neighbors Kansas and Arkansas are bringing in millions from sports betting, millions Oklahoma is missing out on.

“It's something that's fair to the citizens in the state of Oklahoma and fair to the tribes. It's not fair to handicap them in competition with the surrounding states," said Rep. Luttrell.

The bill passed through a committee hearing this morning, sending it one step closer to the governor's desk. We sat down with Governor Stitt to talk about the possibility of sports betting being legalized this legislative session.

“If we're gonna roll this out, let's do it the right way. We have multiple states to go to school on- New Jersey and Kansas and all these other states that have passed it," said Gov. Stitt.

Senator Bill Coleman signed on earlier this month as the Senate author of HB 1027. In a statement he said, “It’s estimated that approving sports betting could generate $240 million in revenue and create more than 3,000 jobs. We’re missing a huge opportunity.”

“We want those dollars to stay here in Oklahoma and benefit our state and the tribes," said Rep. Luttrell.

Sen. Coleman and Rep. Luttrell both serve districts near the Kansas border.

“It has impacted some of the casinos in my area. You can just drive a few miles north across the state line and legally place sports bets in Kansas," said Rep. Luttrell.

Both the senator and representative have been working closely with tribes in the state to come to a mutual agreement that will benefit all parties involved. Luttrell says as the bill continues to progress this session, he's hoping the tribes will continue to be part of the conversation in creating the final language of the bill.

 “I think the most exciting part about this is the dialogue it's reopened between the legislature and the tribes for the good of all Oklahoma," said Rep. Luttrell.