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Just when you thought the Oklahoma Governor and local tribes couldn’t hate each other more, we’ve found another level in this rivalry that’s spanned multiple years and stalled any hope of a legal sports betting industry.
This time, it’s Governor Kevin Stitt adding fuel to the flames. Oklahoma’s legislative session started earlier this month and per tradition, the governor addresses the lawmakers in what’s called a State of the State message. This is usually a rallying cry to drum up support among the state’s political class, but in 2026, Stitt used it to attack the tribes.
Oklahoma sports betting might’ve had a 1 percent chance at becoming a reality this legislative session. After these comments? You can effectively put it at zero percent. Zero! Keep reading, and we’ll discuss all the chaos that is Oklahoma politics.
Stitt Takes Shots Out In The Open
While Stitt didn’t mention sports betting directly, this next quote was definitely aimed at the issue, and at who, in his opinion, is responsible for roadblocking it:
“Many of us in this room have decried the DEI programmes of the Biden administration yet stand quietly by when some say an Indian should be subject to a different set of laws,” Stitt said during the address. “We either believe in equal rights for all or we don’t, and it’s time to choose.”
Stitt really pulled out a political double whammy: DEI and equal rights. Of course, it’s become fashionable to hate on DEI ever since President Donald Trump took office, and vowed to get rid of it. And second, Americans always latch onto any arguments about equal rights (many false believing only in America is this possible). So yeah, it’s a shot across the bow for Stitt.
If you’re reading this and are rather confused about what’s happening, let’s bring you up to speed. Oklahoma has fully-legal casino betting, however, it’s monopolized by the local Native American tribes. No commercial casinos are allowed, per a compact the government and tribes signed decades ago.
Naturally, Oklahoma has thought about allowing sports betting inside state lines. As it stands, it’s one of 11 states without it. But… that compact it signed ages ago? Well, that means only the tribes could offer sports gambling, that’s what they argue at least.
Stitt doesn’t think so. He wants all the top sports betting apps — think BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, etc. — in the state. He’s fine with the tribes offering it to, but they have to play nice with the commercial operators.
This disagreement between both sides is exactly why there’s no legalized sports betting industry in Oklahoma. It’s the only reason either. So when Stitt takes such a public shot at the tribes, yeah, that means it isn’t happening this year.
Betting Bills On The Table Technically
As we’ve said, it’s a brand-new legislative session so now is the time to float bills. And oddly enough, there are multiple betting bills sitting there. Not one, not two, but three of em.
Lawmakers carried over three sports betting proposals from last year. Reps. Ken Luttrell and Brian Coleman pushed HB 1047 and HB 1101 through the House and even out of a Senate committee. Then… nothing. The Senate never acted before adjourning. So the bills are technically still alive this year.
These bills had input from the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association too. OIGA Chairman Matthew Morgan even called the language “a great first step” last year. HB 1047 would lay out the framework and let tribes amend their compacts to add sports betting. HB 1101 is the insurance policy — if Stitt vetoes it, lawmakers could kick the whole thing to voters.
There’s also SB 585 floating around, which would give the Oklahoma City Thunder its own sports betting license. They are the only pro sports team in the state, and reigning world champions, so they have some pull.
“We’re still hoping there’s an agreement to be had somehow,” Coleman was recently quoted. “If we do send something his way (Stitt), we’ll probably do so with enough votes to overturn a veto, should he want to do that. But that’s if it goes that far.”
We’re not nearly as hopeful as Coleman is. What lowly lawmaker wants to openly oppose Stitt like that if he vetoes it? Say what you want about Stitt, but he’s been governor since 2019. He’s popular, and the issue of legal betting is not a hill worth dying on — not while he’s in office, at least. But that brings us to our next section…
Stitt Is Down To Nine Months
Here’s the elephant in the room: Stitt will be out of office a year from now when a new legislative session begins. That’s because his term ends in 2028 and he’s not legally allowed to run again.
The local tribes haven’t responded to Stitt’s latest tirade, but in the past, they’ve outright said they won’t be on the negotiating table until he’s gone. Welp, that time is less than a year away.
Of course, the question then becomes who succeeds Stitt? If it’s somehow close to Stitt (both politically and relationship-wise), then the tribes might carry their animosity over into the next governor, regardless. We shall see during the midterms… sports betting could be hanging in the balance even if it’s not directly on the November ballot.
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