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Once again, Oklahoma sports betting has been killed off. It’s not the first time it’s happened, but this time, more than others, there were actual signs of progress. But alas, legalization was not meant to be — not in 2025 at least.
And that’s the key phrase: for now. Because if you think this issue is going away, think again. In 2026, a midterm year, it’ll be an even hotter issue, especially after recent events. Keep on reading and we’ll tell you all about it!
Two Bills Die Without A Vote
Legal sports betting had not one, but two different chances in Oklahoma. First, there was HB 1047, which would’ve allowed Oklahoma tribes to offer sports betting exclusively. No other mobile betting apps would’ve been allowed. HB 1101, on the other hand, would have sent the issue to the ballot in 2026 if HB 1047 failed or was vetoed. Think of it as a backup plan of sorts. Both bills were spearheaded by Rep. Ken Luttrell.
Momentum was there for the bills. In fact, the House passed them earlier this year. That sent them to the Senate for an additional vote that never came. Not only did the Senate not pass it, but they didn’t even do a floor vote on the issue. Nothing. Nada. And now the legislative session is all but over for the year.
But why? Well, it all points to Governor Kevin Stitt. He’s the most powerful man in Sooner State politics, and he’s made legal sports gambling one of his core issues, for better or worse. He wants it to happen, but… under his conditions. There lies the problem, folks.
You see, Stitt doesn’t want a tribal-run market. Instead, he’s been pushing for a commercial model — one that brings in national sportsbooks and shares control between tribes and private companies. That’s a non-starter for many tribal leaders, who have historically held exclusivity over gaming in Oklahoma.
To make matters worse, Stitt’s relationship with the tribes has been icy since 2020, when he attempted to strike sports betting compacts with a few select tribes (there are dozens upon dozens more in the state). That move backfired in spectacular fashion — other tribes cried foul, state courts struck the deals down, and the fallout still lingers.
This year, Stitt made it clear he’d veto any tribal-exclusive plan, which effectively tanked HB 1047’s chances. Lawmakers saw the writing on the wall, and the Senate never called a floor vote. That left HB 1101 as the best option. However, it was never put up to a vote either.
The Future Of Legal Sports Betting
Yes, 2025 hopes are shot. However, it’s expected to be a hot-button topic again in 2026. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton has already said the chamber will study the issue over the summer. That’s not just busywork — it’s a sign that lawmakers want to come back in 2026 with a cleaner, more unified strategy.
And here’s the thing: 2026 is a midterm election year. That means some lawmakers will be more sensitive to what their constituents want (in order to get a vote out of them) — and polling shows that support for sports betting in Oklahoma is growing fast. The reason it’s not already legal is purely because of political infighting, not because voters don’t want to wager on the Thunder or Sooners. If lawmakers bring back HB 1101 or a similar ballot proposal next year, the political pressure to pass it could be too much to ignore.
Tribes Still Hold the Keys
Oklahoma voters will have a say, but at the end of the day, this issue still comes down to the Native American tribes. They exclusively offer casino betting inside the state, and believe that right should extend to sports betting based on compacts already signed.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association already provided preferred language for the bills this session, and they’ve made it clear they’re willing to talk. But they also want their fair share. That means honoring the compacts and the exclusive rights granted under federal law.
Stitt’s idea to bring the likes of DraftKings and FanDuel to the table is a direct slap to the tribe’s face. They’ve said as much as so, even saying they are willing to wait until Stitt is out of office to agree to something. His term ends in early 2027. He can not re-run in 2026 because Stitt has maxed out his terms.
Other States Fail To Move On Sports Betting
Including Oklahoma, only 11 states are without some form of legal sports betting. Others attempted to change that this legislative year — and all failed in similar fashion to Oklahoma.
Hawaii, of all places, nearly pulled off a Cinderella run. A sports betting bill surprisingly made it to a conference committee — a rare feat in the historically gambling-averse state — before ultimately falling short.
In Nebraska, lawmakers were eyeing the 2026 ballot, too. A bill was introduced that would’ve sent the question of online sports betting to voters, but it was pulled before getting a final vote.
Mississippi also tried to expand into online betting, as it only has an in-person market currently. But that bill, like Hawaii’s, died in conference committee as lawmakers failed to reach a final agreement.
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