Get 125% / $2,500 on 1st deposit!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of up to $2,500
Senate Bill 1434, which seeks to allow sports betting, was filed by State Senator Casey Murdock in an effort to better align with Governor Kevin Stitt’s objective for increasing gambling in Oklahoma. A politician who supports tribal exclusivity in gambling, however, is opposing the proposed legislation.
The measure introduced by Senator Murdock takes a wide stance, permitting anybody who can afford monthly and upfront fees to become an online sportsbook operator. The licenses for sportsbook operations, both in-person and online, would be issued by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission.
The plan calls for giving the state 15% of gross earnings from in-person gaming. However, in order to operate a mobile sports betting business, applicants would need to pay a $500,000 start-up fee, $100,000 in yearly fees, and 20% of their total income.
Although the measure does not provide tribes exclusive rights, it does mandate that before a tribe can receive a license, it must negotiate sports betting compacts with the governor and receive approval from the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations. While highlighting diversity, Senator Murdock notes that the law is still being worked on.
Governor Stitt shocked a lot of people last month when he suggested legalizing sports betting. Tribal leaders opposed the measure, arguing that it did not preserve their unique rights to gambling, while Senator Murdock voiced support, saying sports betting makes sense for the state.
Representative Ken Luttrell is opposed, claiming that Senator Murdock’s measure and Governor Stitt’s plan would both violate the state’s current gaming compacts with tribes. According to Luttrell, these compacts provide tribes the only right to operate casinos, and sports betting is included in this category.
Senator Murdock wants to engage with legislators, especially Representative Luttrell, to develop a solution that legalizes sports betting while taking into account the interests of all stakeholders, notwithstanding the controversy around him.