Oklahoma Sports Betting Stall as Bills Fail to Advance in Senate

Oklahoma’s push to legalize sports betting has reached a standstill in 2025.

Despite progress in the House, two critical sports betting bills stalled in the Senate, missing a key legislative deadline.

While the formal path for legalization may be closed this year, the debate over Oklahoma’s sports wagering future is far from over.

Let’s explore why these bills collapsed, the political divisions behind the impasse, and what lies ahead for 2026.

Oklahoma Sports Betting Hits Roadblock: What’s Next for the State’s Gambling Future?

3 Key Points

• Oklahoma’s Senate adjourned without advancing House-approved bills HB 1047 and HB 1101.
• Governor Kevin Stitt remains opposed to tribal-only control, pushing for a broader market model.
• The issue may return in summer studies and future sessions, keeping the debate alive.

A Promising Start That Ended in Stalemate

Sports betting in Oklahoma seemed closer to legalization than ever at the start of 2025.
Two House-approved bills, HB 1047 and HB 1101, aimed to authorize in-person and online sports betting exclusively on tribal lands.

Representative Ken Luttrell championed these measures, which passed the House with bipartisan support.

However, the Senate adjourned on May 8 without bringing either bill to a vote, effectively ending their chances for this legislative cycle.
The deadline marked the final day for third readings, making further action impossible this session.

Divisions Over Tribal Control and Market Access

At the heart of the debate is a long-standing tension between lawmakers, tribal nations, and Governor Kevin Stitt.

The House bills proposed expanding tribal gaming compacts to include sports betting, reinforcing the tribes’ dominant position in Oklahoma’s gaming market.

Governor Stitt, however, has consistently opposed a tribal-only framework.
He has called for a competitive licensing system that allows both tribal and commercial operators into the market.

Last year, Stitt’s own sports betting proposal included:

• Competitive bidding for online licenses
• Equal licensing fees and taxes for tribal and commercial operators
• Exclusive tribal control over retail sportsbooks, taxed at 15%

Despite its ambition, Stitt’s plan never reached a formal vote.

The “Thunder Bill” and the Search for Compromise

A notable effort to bridge tribal and commercial interests emerged with Senate Bill 585 (SB 585), introduced by Senator Bill Coleman.

Nicknamed the “Thunder Bill,” the proposal allowed:

• Tribes to operate retail and online sports betting
• The Oklahoma City Thunder to hold an event wagering license, which could be leased to a single tribal-approved operator

SB 585 faced an uphill battle.
Initially defeated 24-22 in the Senate, it narrowly passed a second vote, 25-21, after a motion to reconsider.
However, Coleman ultimately withdrew the bill, citing insufficient support to advance it in the House.

Why the Debate Isn’t Over

Although 2025’s legislative window has closed, Senate leaders signaled that the conversation will continue.
Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton told local media that the chamber may study the issue again this summer.

With sports betting booming nationwide, pressure is mounting on Oklahoma to join the movement.
Neighboring states like Arkansas and Kansas have already legalized sports wagering, adding competitive and revenue pressures.

Challenges Ahead for 2026

Oklahoma’s path to sports betting remains complicated by:

• Tribal-state relations
• Revenue-sharing disputes
• Governor Stitt’s insistence on commercial operator inclusion
• Public opinion on gambling expansion

HB 1101 included a safeguard to refer the issue to a statewide vote in 2026 if HB 1047 was vetoed, hinting that voter input could become decisive.

Oklahoma’s 2025 sports betting push has hit a legislative wall, but the story is far from finished.
The failure of HB 1047, HB 1101, and SB 585 reflects deep political and structural divisions over how to shape the state’s sports betting market.

Looking ahead, lawmakers, tribal leaders, and the governor must find common ground to unlock this lucrative sector.
As momentum builds nationally, Oklahoma’s gambling future may ultimately rest not just in the legislature — but in the hands of voters.