Coleman touts committee passing multiple bills to legalize sports betting

OKLAHOMA CITY – In an unprecedented move, the Senate Business and Insurance Committee on Thursday passed three bills to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.

The panel approved bills from Committee Chairman Sen. Bill Coleman, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt.

Sen. Coleman, R-Ponca City, who has been working on this issue for several years, said this strategy opens several different avenues for the Oklahoma Legislature to legalize sports gaming this year. It also reflects the growing sense of urgency among Oklahomans who are eager to see mobile and in-person sportsbooks in this state.

Sen. Coleman also introduced new bill language that would allow Oklahoma’s Native American tribes and the Oklahoma City Thunder to offer mobile sports betting in addition to legalizing in-person sportsbooks at tribal casinos.

“As more states legalize sports betting, Oklahoma can’t afford to fall behind,” said Coleman. “With more Native American tribes and tribal casinos than any other state and a passionate sports fanbase, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned to transform this industry into a thriving economic driver. Legalizing sports gaming will generate millions in new revenue and create new jobs across the state — it’s already happening in the 39 other states that have jumped on the bandwagon. I’m optimistic that this is the year Oklahoma’s tribes, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the governor and other stakeholders will come together to find a compromise everyone can get behind.”

The Senate Business and Insurance Committee passed the following bills:

• Senate Bill 585 (Sen. Coleman) – allows Oklahoma’s tribes to offer in-person sports betting at their casinos and mobile betting on tribal land. It would also grant the Oklahoma City Thunder a gaming license to offer mobile sports betting on non-tribal land. The state would receive 10% of the net sportsbook revenues, which is estimated to be about $20 million annually.
• Senate Bill 125 (Sen. Rader) - also modifies the terms of the model gaming compact to allow the tribes to offer mobile and in-person sports gaming while detailing exclusivity fees of 5% to 7%.
• Senate Bill 164 (Sen. Murdock) - would authorize the Lottery Commission to regulate sports betting and allow tribal nations and non-tribal entities to apply for a “sports pools” license. Sports gaming retailers would be required to pay a 15% fee on adjusted gross revenues.

Sen. Coleman said these bills are likely to change in the coming days as Oklahoma City Thunder officials are set to meet with representatives from the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association next week.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Bill Coleman at (405) 521-5581 or email Bill.Coleman@oksenate.gov