'The Time Is Right' : Lawmaker Files Sports Betting Bill

Watching the Sooners or Cowboys could soon be big business for Oklahoma casinos. 

An Oklahoma lawmaker says it’s time for the state to get off the bench – when it comes to sports betting and his proposal is already getting bi-partisan support. 

“It’s an opportunity, I think, to get everyone at the table and really work this out,” Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City said. 

Luttrell. the Co-Chair of the Native American Caucus, said his bill to bring in-person sports betting to the Sooner State would make the option available to tribes and an addition to their existing tribal gaming compacts. 

“The initial estimates that we got on this is $240 million a year to the state of Oklahoma,” he said. 

Luttrell said the expansion would add 3,000 jobs. According to the American Gaming association, 30 other states already have sports betting.  

“Texas is the only state bordering us that doesn’t have pre-filed legislation or is not already operational, so when we think about where we are in this region at a complete competitive disadvantage not to do it,” Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa, said. 

The legislator and former Tulsa Hurricane football player said lawmakers will work out details regulating what games and divisions could be bet on. Some states ban betting on in-state collegiate games 

“The core of it is this is certainly a direction we should be moving in in Oklahoma,” Nichols said. 

“We see sports betting as additive,” Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan said. “Being in the in the attainment industry, we always like to have options, but we weren’t in a hurry to get something. It was better to get something right than get it fast.” 

While Morgan said he hasn’t had time to review the legislation with his member Tribes, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is interested, but not ready to commit. The sports betting possibilities bring back strained relations between the tribes and Governor Kevin Stitt, who had a falling out over gaming compact negotiations in 2020. 

“As far as the relationship with the governor, I haven’t seen much change in that relationship, which is disappointing. In the past we’ve always found a way to have productive communications with whoever held the chair and I’m hopeful at some point we can get back on track,” Morgan said. 

"Governor Stitt is open to any compact as long as it is a fair deal, enforceable, and provides the transparency and accountability all 4 million Oklahomans deserve," Charlie Hannema, Stitt Chief of Communications said in a statement. 

Lawmakers hope the tribes and the governor can get on the same page. 

“I think the time is right. We’re not in a financial crisis in the state of Oklahoma,” Luttrell said. “We’re not sitting around saying, ‘we’ve got to have this money, we’ve got to have that in coming in right now.” 

The 2022 legislative session begins Feb. 7.