Oklahoma Senate passes tribal sports betting bill
SB 585 must still pass the Oklahoma House.
US.- The Oklahoma Senate has advanced Senate Bill 585. Sponsored by senator Bill Coleman and representative Ken Luttrel, the bill would legalise online sports betting in the state, allowing Oklahoma tribes to offer sports betting on tribal land.
After the motion initially failed with 24 votes in favor and 22 against, a motion to reconsider was approved 30-16. Senators finally passed the bill with 25 votes in favor and 15 against, while seven senators abstained. The legislation has been sent for a first reading in the House.
SB 585 would allow licensed Native American tribes to accept in-person bets and mobile bets, while one designated professional sports team in the NBA would be permitted to sign an agreement with a tribal approved operator to offer online sports betting on non-tribal land. The market would be regulated by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission.
Because of existing compacts, tribes have a say over gambling in Oklahoma, but governor Kevin Stitt has said that he would veto any bill giving tribes exclusivity.
