Two bills have now passed the House and head to the Senate for consideration regarding sports betting in Oklahoma.
Critics worry that legalizing sports betting would lead to more gambling addiction.
But a state lawmaker said the state is losing out on millions of dollars by not opting into sports betting.
Bills on the move
There are a couple of bills still in the works right now that would legalize sports betting through a partnership with tribes, but there are a lot of roadblocks.
The bill moving through the legislature would allow tribes to offer sports betting with a 10 percent fee to the state.
The bill still going through now, has a companion bill that would send the issue to a vote of the people if Governor Stitt vetoes it or if it fails.
Losing out on millions
If the bills don’t pass, a lawmaker said the state could lose out on millions in revenue.
“If some of our citizens are asking for it and going across the state line to do this, we should do something to keep those dollars in our state,” said State Senator Dave Rader.
He said Oklahomans chose to allow gambling through the tribes decades ago, but at the time, sports betting was not legal nationwide.
Now that the Supreme Court has given states the option at the state level, lawmakers want to legalize it, especially since all surrounding states except Texas have done so.
Rader said $50 to $60 million or more made from betting could go back to things like teacher pay raises or road projects.
Lawmakers try again
Lawmakers have tried to pass sports betting bills in recent years, but Governor Kevin Stitt and the tribes disagree.
Stitt said he supports sports betting but has said he will veto any bill that doesn’t allow a free market.
The Tribes claim that it violates their exclusivity, meaning at least for now, bettors are driving to Kansas, Arkansas and soon Missouri.
Response from tribes and gambling addiction services
The Oklahoma Association of Problem Gambling and Gaming said it doesn’t take an official stance on sports betting, but it recommends that revenue should be allocated to mental health services to treat gambling addiction, and employees should be trained to spot gambling disorders.
A few months ago, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association told us tribes are willing to sit down and talk but they need to see a good offer from the states and it must make economic sense.
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