Several sports betting bills have been advancing from the various committees in both the upper and lower chambers, but getting the Oklahoma tribes’ cooperation in bringing sports betting to the masses may still prove too tall an order.
Senate Proposals
Senator Dave Rader, the sponsor of SB 125, would put mobile and retail sports betting in the hands of any Native American tribe in the state that already has a gaming compact. The tribes would be obligated to sign a supplemental agreement with the state only if federal law permits the expansion.
“I have constituent after constituent after constituent continuing to ask for this,” said Senator Rader.
SB 164, sponsored by Senator Casey Murdock, would authorize the Oklahoma Lottery Commission to govern sports betting and would impose a 15% tax on sportsbooks adjusted gross revenues with an initial licensing fee of $500,000 and $100,000 per year thereafter. It would also establish the Sports Pools Fund, with $1 million designated for gambling addiction treatment.
“In my legislation, I think every Oklahoman ought to have the opportunity,” said Senator Murdock.
Coleman’s Bill Brings the Thunder
Perhaps the bill gaining the most traction is Senator Bill Coleman’s SB 585, which would give the Oklahoma City Thunder a sports betting license and would allow tribes to take in-person and mobile sports bets, but only those made on tribal land.
However, it would also allow the Thunder to ostensibly partner with a national sportsbook operator (Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, etc.) and take digital wagers on non-tribal land. Moreover, the tribes would keep a portion equal to state payments from sports betting revenue.
“We are very serious about getting sports betting in the State of Oklahoma,” said Senator Coleman.
Meeting of the Minds
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association leadership and executives from the Thunder are reported to be meeting next week to negotiate this agreement.
The Thunder recently issued the following statement:
“The Thunder remains extremely supportive of legal statewide mobile and retail sports betting. We are pleased to be working with legislative leaders and others to develop the appropriate structure that is favorable to all involved.”
However, getting all the tribes on board will be a dicey proposition.
“We have 39 tribes in the state of Oklahoma, and if one of those disagrees, the deal falls apart,” Sen. Coleman said.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) released its own statement, saying:
“Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association will continue to monitor the progress of any bills whose proposed actions pertain to tribal gaming on behalf of our Tribal Nation members. This includes the bills introduced in this legislative session.
“Tribal Nations have always been willing to sit down and talk, in a respectful manner, about ways to partner with the state to improve Oklahoma. Ultimately these gaming proposals have to make economic sense for everyone involved and not undermine or violate our Tribal-State Gaming compacts.”
With the Oklahoma City Thunder being involved in negotiations and the OIGA willing to listen, Senator Coleman has expressed optimism, stating, “The Oklahoma City Thunder will be meeting with the tribes next week at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. So, we start a process of negotiations between the Thunder and the tribes where we hope that they can come to some sort of agreement.”
