The Otoe-Missouria compact and Comanche Nation compact were similarly worded and allowed each tribe to operate two retail sportsbooks. As a result, Oklahoma’s sports betting efforts were derailed for the immediate future.

Other tribal groups and state lawmakers immediately took the issue to court, leading to the OK Supreme Court ruling the renegotiated compacts invalid. In fact, Oklahoma temporarily legalized sports betting in April 2020 through new gaming compacts negotiated between two tribal gaming operators and the state. The state has witnessed several attempts to legalize sports betting, and it seems increasingly likely that something will stick. Legal Oklahoma sports betting isn’t a shoe-in, but the odds have improved every year since the 2018 PASPA decision. The 2023 Oklahoma online sports betting bill ultimately failed – but not before passing a full House vote and moving to the Senate. Luttrell introduced a similar bill in January 2022, but the latest effort entered 2023 with even more momentum behind it, especially with Governor Stitt clearly stating he supports legalization. Ken Luttrell introduced HB 1027 to give tribal gaming operators the option to offer online sports betting and open retail sportsbooks at their casinos.

Sports betting isn’t yet legal in Oklahoma, but legalization efforts are gaining momentum.