State Rep Ken Luttrell has authored new legislation that if passed will legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.
In the last legislative session, Luttrell introduced a similar bill but it failed to garner enough support. At the time Luttrell stated that he was happy to get local lawmakers discussing the potential of legal sports betting in Oklahoma.
“I would be happy to facilitate that, get everybody to the table and have some good open dialogue and discussion about this. It’s not a make-or-break for the tribal entities.”
In an announcement on Thursday reported by KOCO News, Luttrell said that he had authored another bill that he feels confident will please both sides of the sports betting debate.
NEW TODAY: State Rep Ken Luttrell (R – Ponca City) has authored another bill to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma.
A similar bill failed to reach the floor last year, but Luttrell tells me he feels there’s a lot more support this time around. | @koconews pic.twitter.com/PmZ2pNFyfN
— Andy Weber (@AndyWKOCO) December 29, 2022
State Gov. Kevin Stitt has also stated in the past that he’s open to the legalization of sports betting.
“As long as it’s transparent and it’s fair for Oklahomans, then 100% I’m absolutely open to it. And we’re actually behind the scenes working on what does that look like for Oklahoma. Like you said, Kansas, New Jersey, multiple other states to look at and see how that thing is set up.”
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, which represents several larger tribes, stated earlier this year that it was playing close attention to the developments. Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, said:
“Our members are very interested in the subject. They engage quite regularly within their own communities and their local representatives and state senators.”
The state’s existing gaming compacts with the larger tribes allow for sports betting once it’s legalized by the state.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.