Oklahoma inches closer towards legalizing sport betting

The Appropriations and Budget subcommittee in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives has signed off on a bill to introduce mobile and in-person sports betting in Oklahoma. The bill, which once made the rounds two years ago but was dropped, is reportedly coming again because of how much the state stands to gain from the taxation of sports betting.

According to a news report by KOCO, the state lawmakers are not expanding gambling in the state, rather they are giving the tribes the authority to offer sports betting in addition to what they already offer in the state. Speaking on the state of sports betting after it was legalised in Oklahoma, state Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, said: “Half a billion dollars they bet in the state of Arkansas in three casinos. The state’s share from that was $11 million.”
“We’re not really expanding gambling. We’re just offering another option for those tribes that would like to provide this to their customers,” Luttrell added.

House Bill 1027, the bill in question, will permit the tribes enter into new gaming comapcts that wil give them the right to offer mobile and in-person sports wagering.

While there are criticisms whether the bill will provide for portions of the revenue to go towards dealing with social issues like problem gambling, it is looking favourable as the Gov. Kevin Stitt and the tribes are onboard with it. HB 1027 currently awaits a hearing by the House’s Appropriations and Budget committee.

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