Oklahoma Sports Betting Updates

Oklahoma Legal Sports Betting Overview

Oklahoma Sports Betting Summary

Oklahoma is yet to legalize retail or online sports betting. In April 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt announced the state had renegotiated gaming compacts with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Comanche Nation to allow the tribes to offer sports betting on tribal land. These tribes operate ten casinos in OK, which could have provided retail and online sports betting in accordance with these compacts.

However, public disagreement with Attorney General Mike Hunter, followed by a lawsuit from Senate President Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall, took the issue to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Court agreed Gov. Stitt didn’t have the power to renegotiate those compacts and voided the new agreements, the first set in 2020 and the second in 2021.

In 2022, Representative Ken Luttrell introduced HB 3008 to legalize sports betting at tribal casinos, but the bill didn’t pass on the House floor. Therefore, Oklahoma won't join the list of legal sports betting states until at least 2023.

Read our complete guide to Oklahoma sports betting to discover everything you need to know about the latest legislation, the state’s wagering history, and current alternatives to sports betting that are legal in OK.

Oklahoma Online Sportsbooks Summary

Online sports betting is illegal in Oklahoma. If the amended gaming compacts signed by Gov. Stitt in 2020 had proceeded, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Comanche Nation, Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and Kialegee Tribal Town would have been able to launch online sportsbooks on tribal land.

However, the gaming compacts were deemed invalid by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Since then, Rep. Luttrell’s HB 3008 has been the only attempt to legalize online sports betting in the Sooner State.

Oklahoma has two neighboring states which offer online sports betting. Colorado has 26 online sportsbooks, including some of the biggest US brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, and BetRivers. You’ll also find local brands like Sky Ute Sportsbook. In neighboring Arkansas, there are only two online sportsbooks: Betly and BetSaracen.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) are allowed in Oklahoma, with operators like ESPN, Boom, Yahoo!, FantasyDraft, FanDuel, and DraftKings offering competitions on sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

Who is Eligible to Bet in OK?

While sports betting isn’t yet legal in Oklahoma, we can use neighboring states like Arkansas and previous prospective legislation as a reference to what regulations the state may enforce.

In most legal betting states, you must be at least 21 years old to place a bet. Each US state has different sports betting rules, so you would have to be within OK state lines to place wagers. Anyone listed below would also be restricted from placing sports wagers based on regulations from other states:

• Athletes, coaches, or members of any professional sports team.

• Referees for professional and college sports leagues.

• Individuals with the professional authority to influence players.

• Individuals employed by the leagues that create rules for sports (e.g., NBA, NCAA).

• Individuals with a stake in a sports team.

• Individuals with access to non-public information about a sports team (e.g., player medical records).

• Individuals that have voluntarily excluded themselves from gambling activities.

• Individuals prohibited from betting on a state or federal level (e.g., due to criminal history).

Latest Oklahoma Sports Betting Updates

Timeline for Sports Betting in Oklahoma

• March 25, 2022: HB 3008 does not pass the House by the required deadline of March 24, 2022.

• February 7, 2022: Rep. Luttrell introduces HB 3008 to the House. HB 3008 intends to legalize sports betting at tribal casinos in OK.

• January 26, 2021: The Oklahoma Supreme Court rules Gov. Stitt is acting outside of his authority as state governor in agreeing to the revised gaming compacts with the Keetoowah Band of Indians and Kialegee Tribal Town. These gaming compacts are deemed invalid.

• July 22, 2020: The Oklahoma Supreme Court deems the gaming compacts signed by Gov. Stitt with the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe invalid.

• July 3, 2020: Gov. Stitt signs gaming compacts to allow sports betting with the Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and Kialegee Tribal Town.

• June 29, 2020: The US Department of the Interior approves the gaming compacts signed with the Comanche Nation and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, effective immediately. The tribes decide to wait for the lawsuit’s outcome before launching sports betting.

• May 2020: House Speaker McCall and Senate President Treat file a lawsuit accusing Gov. Stitt of acting outside his authority to renegotiate the gaming compacts.

• April 21, 2020: Oklahoma AG Hunter publicly states that he disagrees with the gaming compacts signed by Gov. Stitt.

• April 21, 2020: Gov. Stitt signs renegotiated gaming compacts with the Comanche Nation and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. This allows for online sports betting on Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe tribal land. The compacts also allow the tribes to launch sportsbooks at casinos.

• May 14, 2018: The US Supreme Court strikes down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). This allows individual states to decide whether to legalize sports betting.

Oklahoma Sports Betting Background

Oklahoma welcomes gambling and is home to 143 tribal casinos. The Winstar World Casino, the largest in the world, is in Thackerville, Oklahoma. OK legalized pari-mutuel wagering in 1982. The state also permits Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) games through the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. However, there is no legal sports betting. Before Gov. Stitt renegotiated gaming compacts with the Comanche Nation and Otoe-Missouria Tribe, there were no legal attempts to bring sports betting to the Sooner State. The only one following the gaming compacts was SB 3008, which failed in March 2022.

Almost as soon as the newly negotiated gaming compacts were announced, House Speaker McCall and Senate President Treat wrote a letter to the Governor calling the deals “legally flawed” and “a waste of resources”. Both lawmakers then jointly filed a lawsuit against the action. Gov. Stitt responded to the lawsuit by referencing the “exceptional legal opinions” he had received on the issue, pointing to “approximately 40 non-gaming compacts… signed by the Governor, and none of which were approved by the legislature”. When Gov. Stitt agreed to more gaming compacts later in 2020, McCall and Treat once again filed a lawsuit.

Future of Oklahoma Sports Betting

With HB 3008 dying in the House, Oklahoma will have to wait until 2023 until another attempt can be made for the Sooner State to join the list of legal betting states.

The encouraging takeaway is that while there was not a House vote on HB 3008, the bill did make it to a third reading, which is a sign of an appetite for sports betting from lawmakers. If a bill similar to HB 3008 passes in 2023, up to 143 retail sportsbooks could launch at the state’s tribal casinos.

HB 3008 only included legislation for retail sports betting in tribal casinos, and no significant efforts have been made to legalize online sports betting. Sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel, experienced in partnering with tribes from Connecticut, would be expected to launch retail sportsbooks in the state. Both sportsbooks already operate DFS sites in OK, which would make it easier for a launch. BetMGM is another major brand with experience in partnering with tribes, working with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in Washington.

Oklahoma Sports Betting Locations

Nevada is the only US state that has more casinos than Oklahoma, with 33 tribes operating 143 casinos in OK. Previous sports betting bills have tried to legalize sports betting at tribal casinos, meaning many of these locations could launch retail sportsbooks. The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association would oversee these sportsbooks with guidance from OK lawmakers. The earliest new legislation can pass is 2023.

In the meantime, you can visit neighboring New Mexico, Arkansas, and Colorado to place sports wagers. NM has five retail sportsbooks, each operating under its casino brand name. However, some of these sportsbooks are powered by major US sportsbooks like Caesars. Three sportsbooks are operating in Arkansas: Betly, BetSaracen, and Oaklawn. Colorado is home to 17 retail sportsbooks owned by major brands like DraftKings, Barstool Sportsbook, and Caesars.

Oklahoma Lottery Locations

The Oklahoma Lottery launched in October 2005, and tickets are available to anyone in the state that is at least 18 years old. There are thousands of retail locations across OK where you can buy lottery tickets, including stores like 7-Eleven. However, the state doesn’t offer online lottery options. If sports betting is legalized in Oklahoma, it will likely be in partnership with the state’s tribes. Therefore, it’s very unlikely lottery retailers will be able to offer sports betting.

Off-Track and Stadium Betting Locations

You can’t wager at any stadiums or sports venues in Oklahoma. However, betting on horse racing has been legal since the public voted on the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act in 1982. The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission was created to oversee the new racing industry. As a part of overseeing horse racing in OK, the commission licenses and regulates pari-mutuel wagering facilities.

There are three racetracks where you can place pari-mutuel wagers on horse racing and eight off-track betting (OTB) locations in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Responsible Gambling Resources

• Oklahoma National Council for Problem Gambling – Guides individuals experiencing problem gambling to support resources in the state. It also offers a 24/7 live chat and helpline. (800) 522-4700

• Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling & Gaming – Helps raise awareness of problem gambling, supports problem gamblers and their families, and improves the quality of treatment plans across the state. (405) 801-3329.

• Gamblers Anonymous – Organizes meetings statewide where problem gamblers can share experiences confidentially. Treatment programs are also available. (855) 222-5542

• Smart Play OK – Operates the state’s tribal self-exclusion program and provides self-assessment tools and support resources. (405) 801-3329

There are 16 tribes signed up to the Oklahoma self-exclusion program, which allows individuals experiencing problem gambling to ban themselves from entering participating gambling locations.

Smart Play OK is an organization specifically launched to operate self-exclusion through a collaboration between the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and the Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming. The other tribes that have not agreed to the self-exclusion program operate self-exclusion on a casino-by-casino basis.

If retail sports betting launches at land-based casinos, the Smart Play OK self-exclusion program would extend to cover sportsbooks.

Teams to Bet on in Oklahoma

• Pro Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Oklahoma City Thunder formed in 2008 following the Seattle SuperSonics’ relocation from Washington. They compete in the NBA’s Western Conference Northwest Division and are Oklahoma’s only major league sports team. The Thunder quickly established themselves as title contenders and reached the NBA Finals in 2012. Led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, the Thunder would lose the series 4-1 to a LeBron James-inspired Miami Heat.

As there is only one major league franchise in Oklahoma, many sports fans choose to support teams in nearby states. Here are some of the most popular franchises in Colorado, Missouri, and Texas:

• Minor League Sports

The Oklahoma City Blue play in the NBA G-League and are the minor league affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Home games are played in the Paycom Center, which they share with the Thunder. The Blue have had successes in recent years, winning division titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Dodgers have been a Triple-A affiliate of the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers since 2015. They compete in the Pacific Coast League and play home games at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. This 9,000-capacity stadium is famed for three statues of Hall of Fame players hailing from Oklahoma, with Mickey Mantle, Johnny Bench, and Warren Spahn immortalized in bronze.

• College Sports

Oklahoma Sooners: The University of Oklahoma is represented by the Sooners in 19 varsity sports. Oklahoma University has one of the most successful sports programs in the US, with 41 National Championships in football, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s gymnastics. Sooner football games are played at the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 86,000.

Oklahoma State Cowboys: With 16 varsity teams, the Oklahoma State University-Stillwater Cowboys play in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys have won 52 National Championships, the fifth most as of May 2022. 34 of these National Titles have come in wrestling, which is the most for any Division I college in one sports program. The Cowboys compete in the ‘Bedlam Series’ with their fierce rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles: The Eagles represent Oral Roberts University in the Summit League. They have been a successful underdog in basketball, reaching six NCAA Tournaments and making it to the Elite Eight in 1974. In 2021, it became only the second 15th-seed team to get to the Sweet Sixteen after defeating 2nd-seed Ohio State and 7th-seed Florida.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane: The University of Tulsa plays under the name Golden Hurricane in the American Conference. Their football team competes in the FBS, the highest level of college football, and has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any school competing at the FBS level. The Golden Eagles have won 35 conference championships and have an 11-12 record in 23 bowl games.

• Women’s Sports

Oklahoma City FC: Playing in the Women’s Premier Soccer League, the second tier of women’s professional football, is Oklahoma City FC. Founded in 2008, OKC FC has won five conference titles and three regional championships. Home games are played at the 3,000-capacity Lakeview Field in Yukon.

How Does Oklahoma Compare to Other States?

• Market Coverage

There are no sportsbooks in Oklahoma, but nearby states can provide a glimpse into what the OK sports betting market may offer. For example, the 26 online sportsbooks in nearby Colorado have betting lines for a wide range of sports. The major league sports are covered by pretty much every betting site, but many provide niche sports markets like NASCAR and MMA.

College sports betting is limited in states around Oklahoma, with Colorado not allowing prop bets on college games. Rules on college sports vary between tribal casinos in New Mexico, and some don’t allow in-state betting. OK lawmakers may insist on regulations for in-state teams or placing player props.

• Competitive Odds & Prices

Oklahoma’s neighboring states have welcomed some of the biggest brands in the US to provide odds like Caesars, BetMGM, and DraftKings. Oklahoma tribes would be free to sign partnerships with these brands, which could launch retail sportsbooks if sports betting is legalized. These operators compete in dozens of states across the US and have to offer competitive betting odds to stand out from the competition. In Colorado, for example, 26 different sportsbooks compete for your attention.

For example, DraftKings is an official betting partner of the NBA and offers generous point spreads on NBA games, including those featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder.

• Gambling Revenue

Rep. Luttrell said in January 2022 that Oklahoma had missed out on $240 million in sports betting revenue, based on a study by the Oxford Economics Group in 2017. Oklahoma has a population of just over four million and looks likely to only legalize retail sportsbooks.

Mississippi launched sports betting with the same restrictions in August 2018 and has brought in $191,986,212 in revenue as of June 2022. Mississippi’s population is around one million people smaller than OK’s, but it seems Rep. Luttrell’s estimations are very optimistic.

HB 3008 included a proposed tax rate of 10% on tribal sports betting revenue, which would match tax rates in states like West Virginia and Wyoming. Mississippi also has a similar tax rate of 12%. That means Oklahoma can expect to bring in a similar tax amount to MS, which has collected $23,038,345 as of June 2022.

• Betting Taxes

If sports betting is legalized in Oklahoma, sports bettors will have to pay taxes on their winnings. In the US, you must declare all sports betting winnings to the IRS. If you win over $600, you must complete a W-2G form, and sportsbooks can withhold up to 25% of your winnings as tax. You must also include your betting winnings in your state income tax. Oklahoma has a varying individual state income tax, ranging from 0.25% to 4.75%.

In addition, sportsbooks must pay an excise tax of 0.25% of every monthly betting handle according to the Internal Revenue Code. The code also states that operators need to pay $50 for every employee involved in taking wagers.

Who Oversees Sports Betting in Oklahoma?

HB 3008 intended to legalize retail sports betting at tribal casinos and give oversight to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. The association would be responsible for checking the safety of every retail sportsbook in the state as well as licensing any sportsbook partners or local sportsbook brands. Lawmakers would agree to certain standards for player security with the association and include these in gaming compacts, which the association would have to enforce.

If state-wide sports betting is legalized in Oklahoma, the state would need to select a regulatory body. This would probably involve setting up a new organization. The alternative would be to give regulatory power to an existing body like the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission or the Oklahoma Lottery. Neighboring Arkansas went with this option, giving sports betting oversight to the Arkansas Racing Commission.