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A bill to legalize mobile sports betting in Oklahoma was pulled from consideration just hours before it was set to be discussed in a House subcommittee. The unexpected delay adds to a series of hold-ups that have kept Oklahoma from joining the majority of U.S. states that now allow some form of sports wagering.
The bill had already cleared the Senate by a slim margin and was scheduled for review by a subcommittee of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee. If approved, it would have moved to the full committee and then to the House floor for a vote.
At the heart of the debate is a long-running disagreement between state officials and tribal nations over who should control sports betting. Oklahoma has more tribal casinos per capita than any other U.S. state. Many of the state’s federally recognized tribes have said they are open to supporting legalized sports betting, but only if their exclusive gaming rights remain protected.
The current proposal would allow tribes to offer mobile sports betting within their lands, which include large areas such as the Tulsa metro. However, it does not extend to commercial operators or non-tribal areas, something Governor Kevin Stitt strongly opposes. He has threatened to veto the bill—and two others—unless they create an “open” betting market that includes racetracks, commercial sportsbooks, and possibly the state lottery.
This disagreement is not new. Stitt and tribal leaders have clashed over gambling rights for years. The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, which represents many of the state’s tribes, has provided feedback on all active proposals. In a recent letter, the group said it remains willing to work with partners but stressed that any final law must preserve tribal sovereignty.
One unique element in the Senate-backed bill would allow the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder to partner with a third-party platform like DraftKings or FanDuel. Since the team is located outside tribal land, it would need a separate arrangement to offer legal betting.
If passed, the law could lead to a patchwork system—where tribal regions operate under one structure, and urban areas like Oklahoma City follow another. It is still unclear whether tribal operators would build their own apps or work with national brands.
Meanwhile, other states in the region have moved ahead. Missouri is preparing to launch sports betting, and Arkansas, Kansas, and Colorado already offer mobile wagering statewide. Nationwide, 39 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have legalized some version of sports betting since the 2018 Supreme Court decision overturned the federal ban.