Sports Betting Bill Faces Long Shot in Oklahoma Legislature

A proposed bill to legalize sports betting through tribal compacts is unlikely to pass in Oklahoma during the upcoming legislative session, according to industry analyst Ryan Butler.

State Senate Bill 125 has been filed by State Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa), who hopes to exploit a recent development in Texas and push for a measure ahead of neighboring state's potential adoption of sports betting. However, Butler expressed skepticism about the proposal's chances, citing strained state-tribal relations as a major hurdle.

"The big story with this is that it's an interesting effort, but it's going to be very difficult to get it done in Oklahoma," Butler said. "We're looking at a long shot here."

One of the main concerns among tribal leaders is the potential disruption to existing gaming rights agreements. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association spokespeople were unresponsive when asked for comment.

Governor Kevin Stitt's prior proposal on sports betting was met with resistance, and there are concerns about how his support would be received by the tribes once he leaves office.

Industry observers do not expect change in Texas anytime soon either. The head of the Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling & Gaming warned that expanding sports betting availability could worsen gambling addiction issues in the state.

"It's a long shot that we're looking at probably with the new administration, when there's a new governor that takes office next," Butler stated. "We'll see something significant happen then."

The proposal is part of a larger effort to boost revenue for the state through expanded gaming opportunities. State Sen. Rader remains hopeful that his legislation will eventually gain traction.