Not On The Same Page; Lawmakers And Tribes Respond To Gov. Stitt's Sports Gambling Proposal

Governor Stitt has revealed a new plan to bring sports gambling to Oklahoma. But News 9 is now learning, that the governor didn’t reveal that plan to the tribes or lawmakers before rolling it out this week. 

“This is great for Oklahoma,” said Governor Kevin Stitt.

“The fact that we have so many different tribes and so many different players makes it a pretty difficult deal to do,” said Sen. Bill Coleman,( R) Ponca City.

The governor’s plan includes two parts: in-person and mobile sports gambling. This means you could place a bet in person at casinos across the state, which would be taxed at 15% through the Tribal Gaming Compact. Additionally, you could place a bet through a sportsbook licensed by the state, which is taxed at 20% going to the state.

“95% of the revenue is online, 5% is on site. I don't know that the drivers are going to go for that. That seems kind of a little tilted,” said Sen. Coleman.

Sen. Coleman ran a bill this past session that would have legalized sports gambling in Oklahoma. He explains that his bill has some key differences from Governor Stitt’s plan, but says he was always open to changing or amending the legislation, saying he just wanted to get the conversation started.

“The bill that Representative Luttrell and I ran, pretty much gave everything to the tribes as they do tend to control the gambling here in the state of Oklahoma. The percentages were lower than what the governor came across,” said Rep. Coleman.

“Two sides of the coin; the tribes are going to want full control and want to pay no fees on it but what's good for the state of Oklahoma is what I'm going to try to roll out for everybody and if they want to apply for the mobile they absolutely can just like anybody can,” said Stitt.

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association said that they weren’t consulted before Stitt released his plan. They said in a statement, “While we appreciate Gov. Stitt finally joining the sports betting conversation, to date he has not engaged in meaningful and respectful government-to-government discussion with tribes.”

They go on to say they’re hopeful Stitt will work with them on a plan that maintains their exclusive gaming rights, saying "to approach it otherwise, is simply to invite failure."

Senator Coleman's bill is still alive and can be brought back up during the next legislative session. But, he says the three parties involved have to be on the same page to get this across the finish line.

“I think the deal could get done. I think we just sit down and talk about it, hash out if there are differences, try to meet halfway, and let's get this going,” said Sen. Coleman.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton responded in a statement, saying: “Many parties, including the Choctaw Nation, have been exploring the potential of bringing sports betting to Oklahoma,” Batton said. “One thing almost everyone agrees on is that this is an extremely complex issue, touching on existing agreements, tribal sovereignty and protecting Oklahoma's citizens.” 

“Unfortunately, the governor did not consult with the Choctaw Nation before announcing his proposal, despite our many years of leadership in operating gaming in Oklahoma and our clear interest in moving the economy forward,” he said. “Upon initial review, we do not believe the plan represents the best interests for the people of Oklahoma or the tribal nations that have done so much to support the state.”

Full statement from OIGA:

“The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association was not consulted prior to Gov. Stitt releasing his sport betting plan. The members of the OIGA have been preparing to receive an offer from the State on sports betting for the past couple of years, and while we appreciate Gov. Stitt finally joining the sports betting conversation, to date he has not engaged in meaningful and respectful government-to-government discussion with tribes. We remain hopeful that he is committed to moving forward in a productive manner in accord with established law and process, which would include working with the Oklahoma Legislature to offer a compact supplement to tribes within the State-Tribal Gaming Act construct that protects the tribes’ “substantial gaming exclusivity.” To approach it otherwise is simply to invite failure."

Since the State-Tribal Gaming Act was offered by the people of Oklahoma in 2004 and renewed in 2020, tribes have taken on 100% of costs and associated risks, paid all of the State’s monitoring expenses, exceeded all revenue projections, and have become the recognized national industry leader. Likewise, Oklahoma continues to benefit under our model compact at a rate that far exceeds any other state with an Indian Gaming Regulatory Act compact with tribal nations. We look forward to seeing the more than $2 billion dollars that gaming tribes have already contributed directly to the state continue to grow and positively impact the state’s education funding.”