Oklahoma Governor reveals plan to legalize sports betting

Governor Kevin Stitt has recently introduced his proposal to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma on November 2. The plan permits Oklahomans to bet in person at federally recognized tribal gaming sites, safeguarding tribal investments in physical facilities.

It also enables mobile betting on state-licensed sportsbooks. Furthermore, the plan includes provisions to shield student-athletes in Oklahoma by prohibiting prop betting and wagers on individual student-athlete performance.

“I promised Oklahomans if we pursued sports betting, we would do it right, and this plan does just that,” Governor Stitt said. “Thirty-five states have already legalized sports betting, and it’ll be a great revenue stream for the state. Tribes will be able to add it onto their existing infrastructure, and Oklahomans can access it right from their phone.”

Student-athletes are exempt

The Governor’s plan actively bans betting on the performance of individual student-athletes, coaches, referees, player injuries and college-level prop bets. The Governor is currently awaiting input from the NCAA and athletic conferences that impact Oklahoma to determine their regulatory stance.

Mobile betting will be handled by State-licensed organizations, subject to a 20 percent tax rate, and will accept wagers from anywhere within the state. Participating organizations must pay an initial fee of $500,000 and an annual fee of $100,000.

Under updated tribal gaming compacts, federally recognized tribes can conduct in-person betting, subject to a 15 percent tax rate, with wagers accepted solely in person. This requires individuals to visit tribal gaming facilities in person to wager on sports events. The tribes will manage the betting process and oversee in-person bet placement.

Before the recent changes in Oklahoma’s sports betting regulations, sports betting was illegal, leaving residents and visitors without domestic sports gambling options. Several efforts were made to legalize sports betting in the past few years, including a bill introduced by Rep. Ken Luttrell, which passed the House but was unsuccessful in the Senate.

During that period, offshore sportsbooks served Oklahoma players without any restrictions on betting, whether on in-state teams, out-of-state teams, or amateur leagues. These international betting sites accepted Oklahomans as young as 18 years old.