Progress Slow On Oklahoma Sports Betting Bills
Steve Bittenbender - Feb 28, 2024
BetOklahoma.com is the home of legal Oklahoma sports betting. Unfortunately, online betting apps will not be coming your way this year as efforts to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma failed. The push for legal Oklahoma sportsbooks must now wait until at least 2024.
Efforts to legalize Oklahoma sports betting fell short this year after Oklahoma House Bill 1027 failed to clear a Senate committee before the March 23 deadline. Eyes on legalizing Oklahoma sportsbooks will now turn to 2024.
The latest Oklahoma sports betting bill sought to allow the Sooner State's 35 tribes operating more than 140 casinos to offer retail and online sports betting.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ken Luttrell (R) of District 37 and looked to require tribes to share sports betting revenue with Oklahoma on a sliding scale of 4-6% of revenue. The bulk of those tax dollars would have been dedicated for educational purposes.
Oklahoma online sports betting remains illegal, despite several attempts in recent years to change the law and allow OK sports betting. One significant obstacle has always been the power and influence of the tribes that operate the state's numerous casinos.
However, in their recent attempts to legalize sports betting, OK lawmakers have worked hard to try to enlist the support of those tribes, and to ease their fears about the likely impact of Oklahoma sports betting sites.
No, sports betting in Oklahoma is not legal. There is no such thing as Oklahoma online sports betting – though there have been repeated attempts in recent years to change that.
The most recent bill that would legalize sports betting was launched in early 2023. Although it has passed through the state house, it still needs to gain the approval of the senate before preparations for sports betting in OK can begin.
It is possible that Oklahoma sports betting could be legal, licensed and live by the end of 2023. But the lawmakers looking to clear the way for sports betting in OK have some hurdles to overcome first.
Rep. Ken Luttrell launched a bill, HB1207, in early 2023 that progressed through the house. If the senate, another committee, and the governor don’t derail the cause of sports betting, Oklahoma sportsbooks could go live by late 2023, or early 2024.
Hopes have been raised that, on the issue of sports betting, Oklahoma might relax its current legal restrictions. The most recent bill, HB1027, passed through the house with a healthy majority.
This is a step forward compared with the fate of other similar bills launched in recent years. However, the bill in question must now make its way through the senate and undergo further committee scrutiny before it can be passed into law.
Below, our experts track all the breaking developments impacting sports betting in Oklahoma and list them below to ensure you don't miss the latest news.
To keep you updated on the breaking news impacting Oklahoma's chances of launching sportsbooks, our team of veteran reporters and editors cover all of the latest OK sports betting news including the latest bills proposed, news of betting sites eyeing the market or opinions and quotes from influencers in the space.
When it comes to online sports betting, Oklahoma has yet to decide how many OK sportsbooks might be licensed to launch in the state.
There are certain brands we can be sure will apply to offer online betting OK services. These are operators that are already working in many of the states where the activity is legalized.
Many other operators run sportsbooks in several states and will likely bring those brands to the legal Oklahoma sports betting market, if and when it goes live. When that happens, look for brands like Betway, BetRivers, PointsBet, Bet365, Bally Bet, and WynnBET.
Competition for customers is sure to be intense between Oklahoma sports betting sites. Identifying the top operator in such a congested market will not be easy – particularly given that every customer of Oklahoma sportsbooks will be making a personal choice as they look for certain services and experiences.
BetMGM Oklahoma is just about the best of the leading books likely to launch. This is a brand that delivers a fantastic range of sports and markets, a high frequency of promos and bonuses, and a superb all-round user experience on its website and app.
Caesars Sportsbook Oklahoma is a brand with tons of visibility during the NFL season through its TV and radio commercials featuring the Manning family, Halle Berry and JB Smoove. Oklahoma bettors are likely to see and hear about this popular brand once sports betting goes live in the state.
And with a welcome bonus valued at up to $1250, Caesars offers higher potential value than any other sportsbook.
Caesars Sportsbook is regarded as the top sports betting app for live streaming, most notably with its Watch and Bet feature which allows bettors to stream live NFL games on the app itself.
FanDuel Sportsbook is the most popular sports betting app in the US, renowned for its exceptional service in several sports betting states, it's a preferred option for many bettors.
FanDuel is recognized to many as a familiar name in daily fantasy sports for more than a decade. FanDuel Oklahoma should be among the best sports betting options in the state if and when it goes live.
This well-known sports betting brand has a long history that spans over a decade, thanks to its legacy daily fantasy sports operations. In many states where sports betting is legal, DraftKings is regarded as one of the top sports betting sites and apps in the industry.
DraftKings Oklahoma will be a go-to for many sports, however, if you plan on betting on the NFL, this is the brand you need.
Barstool Sportsbook, which has made a name for itself through its controversial media brand Barstool Sports, gives away apparel so you can share its radical sense of humor.
Barstool is known to offer enticing bonuses, promotions and giveaways on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and the Barstool Sports app. Sports celebrity picks and comprehensive streaming coverage add glamor and utility to a fully rounded sports betting service.
Known as the official merchandise supplier of many top leagues and brands, Fanatics is now setting its sites on the sports betting industry with Fanatics Sportsbook.
Though the brand is not yet live in the United States, Fanatics Sportsbook is set to launch imminently in Massachusetts and then plans to rapidly expand to additional states, potentially in 12 to 15 sports betting states by the next NFL season.
Although there is currently no such thing as legal sports betting in Oklahoma, we can make an educated guess as to the OK sports betting sites that might be competing for your custom soon.
Operators that lead the way in many states – and can be expected to launch Oklahoma online sports betting services – include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet and BetRivers.
There are other brands with a presence in neighboring states that might be tempted to create Oklahoma betting sites, such as WynnBET, Barstool, bet365, FOX Bet, Bally Bet and Betfred.
Even if the lawmakers pass the current bill and legalize online betting, Oklahoma enthusiasts will face a delay of several months before they can place a wager.
The regulatory framework to administer online sports betting OK will need to be constructed – and the experience of other states shows it is impossible to know exactly how long this will take.
In Kansas, for instance, a bill legalizing sports betting became effective in July 2022, and the first sportsbooks launched a couple of months later. Colorado had to wait six months for the same process to unfold. In Arkansas, however, online sports betting only began some three-and-a-half years after legalization.
There are no legal OK sportsbooks yet, and it is not possible to know at this stage how many Oklahoma sports betting sites might be launched if the current push for legalization is successful.
It could be that any of the 35 tribes that have gaming compacts with the state could launch their own online betting sites in Oklahoma. Alternatively, they might partner with an experienced online gambling operator.
It is likely that companies licensed to operate sports betting sites in Oklahoma will wish to forge commercial partnerships with leading sports teams in the state. This is a business model that has proved fruitful elsewhere.
The only big-four team in the state, Oklahoma City Thunder, has had a partnership since 2009 with the Riverwind Casino. That would surely put any leading online sportsbook operator that partners with the Riverwind in pole position to become an official sports betting partner of the Thunder.
No, you cannot legally place sports bets in Oklahoma. Under current state law, sports betting sites in Oklahoma are not allowed to operate.
As increasing numbers of states legalize sports wagering, there are hopes that the situation in the Sooner State might change. However, any legislation will need to take into account the influence held by the tribes that operate the state’s many casinos.
In OK, sports betting is not OK. Under current law, it is not possible to wager money on the outcome of a sporting event.
Legislation launched in early 2023 will change that if it becomes law, and allows OK online sports betting and wagering at retail premises such as casinos.
As state law stands, there is no sports betting in Oklahoma. If you want to place a wager on a sporting event, you will have to travel to a nearby state where betting on sports is allowed.
Legislation currently being debated by state lawmakers could change this situation. If a bill is passed allowing sports betting, Oklahoma could be home to online and retail sportsbooks by the end of 2023 or, more likely, early 2024.
No, Oklahoma online sports betting is not legal. This may change if legislation currently being debated by the state’s lawmakers is passed during 2023.
The bill under discussion will allow online sports betting in Oklahoma to take place. However, there have been suggestions that bettors may need to be on tribal land to be able to use mobile sportsbooks.
The importance of the tribes that run all of Oklahoma’s casinos presents certain challenges – and opportunities – with regard to Oklahoma sports betting.
What can other states teach us in this context? Neighboring New Mexico is home to five sportsbooks, but all bets must be placed in person at a tribal casino.
In Arizona, meanwhile, there are 20 online sports betting licenses available – half through recognized tribes and half with pro sports franchises or venues.
Late in 2022, it was reported that some Arizona tribes were concerned they were losing business after giving up their exclusive hold over the gambling scene through that deal.
Below, our experts track all the breaking developments impacting sports betting in Oklahoma and list them below to ensure you don't miss the latest news.
In the absence of legal sports betting in Oklahoma, there is no ready-made sports gambling regulator in the Sooner State.
If the ban is lifted on sports betting, OK is most likely to turn to its Gaming Compliance Unit, which currently oversees the operation of tribal gaming compacts, to administer the new activity.
However, it is also possible that the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, which operates the state lottery, could take charge of regulating OK sports betting.
There are well over 100 tribal casinos in Oklahoma, and you need to be aged at least 18 to play casino games there. You can also play the official state lottery at this age.
In most states, the minimum age for sports betting is 21. It remains to be seen what age restriction will be imposed if and when Oklahoma sports betting becomes a reality.
You will not need to be a resident of Oklahoma to wager with companies offering sports betting in OK.
However, you will be able to place a sports bet only if you are located within state lines – and, depending on the shape of legislation passed, possibly on tribal territory. You will also need to be older than the minimum age for Oklahoma sports betting, which will be 18 or, more likely, 21.
The fact that HB1027 was “broadly written” means there is no proposed stipulation on the number of licenses that might be issued to Oklahoma sportsbooks in the event of legalization.
It is not known how many of the 35 tribes that run casinos and gaming centers will apply for the right to supply online betting to Oklahoma - there will most probably be at least one license per casino. At least four tribal compacts will need to be updated to facilitate this expansion of gambling in the Sooner State.
Until we know how many Oklahoma sports betting sites are licensed to operate, and the levels of tax levied on operators are finalized, it is impossible to predict likely revenues from sports betting in OK.
Studies have suggested that legalized OK sportsbooks could generate up to $9.4million in new annual revenue for the state. The rate of tax to be handed over is one of the details that will need to be finalized before the way is clear for sports betting OK to proceed.
The latest bill aimed at bringing Oklahoma sportsbooks to life, HB1207, passed with a substantial majority in the house. It is currently being scrutinized by the senate.
This bill has, according to its sponsor Rep. Ken Luttrell, been “broadly written” – which means much of the detail will be written during the legislative process. Areas such as tax rates, the number of licenses available, and the permitted reach of OK sports betting sites, still need to be finalized.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is one of the tribes that operate casinos in Oklahoma through a gaming compact with the state. The Choctaw control more than 20 casinos and gaming centers here.
If sports betting in Oklahoma is legalized, the Choctaw may have the option to operate retail casinos on tribal land. It may also be able to launch its own online betting OK platform, or partner with a commercial operator to establish a mobile presence.
When you have the chance to choose between Oklahoma sports betting sites, the task will be a daunting one. A host of outstanding operators will be offering online sports betting OK customers can enjoy.
There are several factors you can apply when you are trying to narrow down the field and select the right place for your online betting. Oklahoma bettors can use the following suggestions to identify their favorite.
There are now more than 30 states where online sports betting is permitted. As a result, you can find an extensive range of reviews of the companies offering Oklahoma sportsbooks.
Check out the positives; what are the aspects of playing with a particular operator that its customers enjoy? Similarly, look for the negatives; are there issues and complaints that crop up regularly around certain names?
All leading Oklahoma sports betting sites will offer an attractive range of bets and markets, and at first site it is tempting to believe they are all the same.
However, you may be able to detect a focus on certain bets with particular OK sports betting sites. Some may even offer types of wagering that are not available elsewhere, and that may suit you down to the ground.
You may notice, as you become more experienced in sports betting, OK operators offering different odds on the same market.
By comparing several books, you can work out where the most competitive prices are and bet accordingly. If most operators have Oklahoma City Thunder at +115 on the moneyline for their next NBA game, but one is offering +125, you know where to bet to get the biggest payout.
In the battle for customers’ loyalty and attention, the welcome bonus is one of the most potent weapons at the disposal of Oklahoma online sports betting operators.
You should expect an attractive reward for signing up as a customer. It may come in the form of a substantial boost to your initial deposit, or the chance to play your first stake again if your initial bet is a loser. Choose a promo, or range of bonuses, that will suit the way you like to play.
In our digital age, customers in all commercial contexts expect the experience of using a company’s platforms to be superlative.
Using the betting sites Oklahoma has to offer should be no exception. You want to be able to find the market you want, navigate your way to it quickly and easily, and place your wager with no problems at all.
However you like to move your money online, you should be able to find a method that suits you when you begin Oklahoma sports betting.
Although most leading OK online sports betting companies will offer a range of banking methods, check their lists carefully. You need to be sure you will be able to make a deposit – and, equally crucially, to withdraw funds from your account if you wish to do so.
If the need arises to contact a company offering online betting, OK customers should have a host of options to choose from.
You should be able to use a toll-free phone number or a live chat facility for a quick response. Alternatively, there should be an email address to help you make contact – and you might find what you are looking for in an extensive list of FAQs.
By signing up as a customer of several sites offering online sports betting in Oklahoma, you can enjoy a host of benefits.
For one thing, you can take advantage of numerous welcome bonuses – there is nothing to prohibit you from doing this. You will also be able to work out where the best odds are for the games and markets you most like to wager on.
And you’ll be able to compare the user experience in various places so that you can identify the Oklahoma sports betting destination that is perfect for you.
One of the aspect of online sports betting Oklahoma fans will enjoy most is the range of bonuses and offers that should be available.
The supply of Oklahoma sportsbook promos should start with an alluring welcome bonus. This may come in the form of a boost to your initial deposit, bonus bets, or the chance to use your first stake for a second time if your opening wager is a loser.
Your sign-up offer should be followed by other regular promos including odds boosts, enhanced payouts on parlays, and seasonal offers around major sporting events.
Given that Oklahoma is home to more tribal casinos than any other state in the USA, it is safe to say that many residents of the Sooner State are familiar with the attractions of a visit to gambling premises.
It is not yet clear how many of those establishments might be home to retail Oklahoma sportsbooks. But many visitors do enjoy the chance to place sports bets in this type of environment.
You are surrounded by like-minded people, there is the buzz of being in a gambling location, you can probably watch top sporting action on a big screen – and there are staff on hand to answer instantly any query you may have.
However, the sheer convenience of online and mobile betting ensures that these are incredibly popular forms of sports betting. Oklahoma has yet to legalize online OK sportsbooks, but it will be surprising if restrictions are applied on this type of wagering.
Many sports fans will be eager to place bets through Oklahoma betting apps and Oklahoma betting sites. The ability to wager through your mobile device while you are on the move or at the game is incredibly attractive – it is to be hoped that mobile OK sports betting is not restricted to tribal locations.
What types of bets will be available at online betting sites in Oklahoma? You should be able to wager on sports in the following ways:
You can expect sports betting sites in Oklahoma to carry markets on the following:
Even in the absence of an NFL franchise within the Sooner State, there will plenty of interest in football at Oklahoma sports betting sites. The proximity of big teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs in nearby keeps the attention level high.
Football is popular across the nation, and will attract significant volumes of betting in Oklahoma. When it comes to online sports betting, OK fans will have numerous markets to enjoy through the regular season and all the way to the Super Bowl.
Basketball is one of the nation’s most high-profile sports – but it certainly helps that the only big-four team located in the Sooner State is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is a sport that lends itself to betting, particularly on totals and point spreads. Many people enjoy the challenge of in-play wagering. Expect extensive NBA markets at Oklahoma online sports betting sites throughout the season.
The proximity of Major League teams such as the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals helps to keep baseball’s profile high in Oklahoma. So does the presence of the Oklahoma City Dodgers, a triple-A affiliate of the LA Dodgers.
Baseball will be a fixture on the coupons at all leading Oklahoma sportsbooks. This stats-heavy sport is ideal for wagering, while the frequent breaks in play offer opportunities for in-play betting.
No NHL team makes its home in Oklahoma, though the Tulsa Oilers compete in the East Coast Hockey League. The NHL’s expansion efforts over the last couple of decades have, however, boosted the sport’s profile across the nation.
Oklahoma sports betting operators will offer extensive markets on the best NHL action, as well as from leagues in Europe. As a result, there will be a steady level of hockey interest at OK sports betting sites.
Fans of teams like the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will be extremely keen that Oklahoma online sports betting companies can take bets on college sports. Given the shortage of big-four franchises in the state, college teams here attract huge attention.
It will be interesting to see if Oklahoma betting sites can take wagers on NCAA action. Not all of the recent efforts aimed at legalization have included a facility for college sports wagering.
Other sports you might expect to find on the list of markets at Oklahoma sports betting sites may include Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Motorsports, Boxing/MMA, Volleyball, Table Tennis, and Cycling.
If you prefer a little local interest when it comes to sports betting, OK has the following teams to get behind that may feature at Oklahoma betting sites:
To put it bluntly, there are extremely limited options available when it comes to Oklahoma sports betting. The only sport on which you can place wagers is horse racing.
By far the most popular form of gambling that is currently legal here is casino gaming. Apart from that, Oklahoma also has an official state lottery.
Oklahoma is home to more tribal casinos than any other state. There are more than 140 casinos and other gaming centers, and all are administered by 35 of the state’s recognized tribes – there are no commercial casinos here.
The WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville is the largest casino in the world. Its gaming floor is, at 400,000 square feet, as big as seven football fields – and it is home to more than 8,500 slot machines and more than 150 table games.
There are currently no facilities for sports betting in Oklahoma casinos. It remains to be seen whether or not retail sportsbooks would be allowed under the bill currently under consideration that would legalise Oklahoma sports betting.
The influence of the tribes is so strong that it is possible Oklahoma online sports betting would be permitted only while on tribal territory. In which case, the appeal of retail sportsbooks on casino premises would remain relatively high.
One sport on which you can enjoy betting in Oklahoma is horse racing. There are three tracks in the state – Fair Meadows Tulsa, Remington Park and Will Rogers Downs – that host a good standard of racing throughout the calendar.
You can wager on the action at all three tracks. Additionally, while there you can also place bets on simulcasts of races elsewhere.
Oklahoma is home to a state lottery that has a high regard among players and experts. It offers a wide range of lotto games, for which tickets can be bought from a network of retail out – online ticket sales have yet to be introduced.
The good work of the Oklahoma Lottery Commission means it is possible that this body may be charged with the administration of any future Oklahoma sports betting industry - as has happened in other states.
If and when Oklahoma online sports betting is legalized, there will be a strong focus on responsible gambling. While wagering on sport is an enjoyable leisure activity to most people, for a small minority it can lead to gambling problems.
You can expect OK sports betting sites to carry prominent links to a dedicated section packed with details about keeping your wagering under control. These should include the warning signs of problem gambling, and advice on measures such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
There should also be contact details for specialist agencies that can offer expert advice and support. Oklahoma is already home to a couple of these bodies.
The Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling & Gaming delivers a wealth of useful information and a helpline, while there is also the state branch of the respected National Council on Problem Gambling.