Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill Dies In State Senate Despite Support From Tribes, OKC Thunder

By Bill Speros

Apr 23rd, 2026 11:05 AM EDT

A bill that would have legalized sports betting in Oklahoma has failed in the state Senate. Hopes were high after an Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill cleared the House. It boasted backing from both native tribes and the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

A group of conservative Republicans banded together to sink the Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill by a 27-21 vote Wednesday.

The bill’s chief supporter in the Senate – Bill Coleman – has tried for several years to pass legal sports betting.

“This new legislation is the product of thousands of hours of negotiations over many years,” Coleman said.

“This agreement respects our tribal partners and reflects collaboration and cooperation with our NBA franchise to create a legal, above-board system that can compete with the unregulated black market and legally questionable prediction markets. Oklahomans are already placing bets through other platforms or driving out of state to make legal wagers. It’s time for all of us to come together to get behind this proposal that protects consumers and keeps those dollars here in Oklahoma to benefit our state,” added Coleman.

In a statement before the final vote, FanDuel offered its support of the Oklahoma Sports Betting Bill.

"Oklahomans are already engaging in sports betting on unregulated offshore platforms," a FanDuel spokesperson said. "Legalization would bring this activity into a safe, regulated market. This effort could generate $75-100 million in revenue for the state over five years that does not exist today, helping to fund various priorities across Oklahoma communities. FanDuel welcomes the opportunity to partner with tribal nations to build a responsible framework and encourages lawmakers to move this effort forward.”

‘This Is Institutionalizing A Vice’

But that argument could not persuade critics.

“This is institutionalizing a vice. So, I urge your no vote,” countered Sen. Dusty Devers, who is a Baptist pastor. He added the bill would make Oklahoma “a participant in a moral hazard.”

“It is the fastest growing addiction that is destroying young men in their 20’s, and it is online sports betting,” added Sen. Brian Guthrie, via Oklahoma City TV station KFOR.

Coleman, and others, argued that sports betting continues to occur in the state, but through illegal/offshore books, and via prediction markets.  

The proposed amendment to HB 1047 would have legalized retail and online sports betting and betting apps. It would have modified the Model Gaming Compact. Native tribes would have held the licenses. They would be allowed to partner with legacy operators like DraftKings and FanDuel. This would follow a model used in several states with native tribes.

The measure directed all sports betting revenue from NBA and WNBA wagering toward promoting early childhood literacy. Other revenues would have been split between higher education, student development, employment programs and tourism outreach.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has long been at odds with the state’s tribes. He hoped to used sports betting as opening to revise that state’s gaming compacts.

Now, it's on to 2027 in the Sooner State.

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