A bill to legalize Oklahoma sports betting passed through a House committee on Thursday.
The bill, HB 1027, passed the House Committee on Appropriations and Budget by a 27-4 vote. Introduced by Rep. Ken Luttrell earlier this year, HB 1027 is Luttrell’s second attempt at legalizing sports betting.
Bill would legalize tribal sports betting
Language in the bill allows for Oklahoma tribes to enter into new compacts with the state. Speaking with Koco News-5, Luttrell said:
“It’s a bill that I’ve been working on for several years, in conversations with the tribes, with my gaming partners, in my districts and many other districts across the state.”
The House committee is the first hurdle in a long road to legalization. The bill still needs to be approved by the entire House and Senate before heading to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Oklahoma governor backs sports betting
In February, Stitt threw his support behind a legal, regulated sports betting market. According to New on 6, Stitt said:
“I want Oklahoma to know that I want to get this rolled out for them because I think Oklahomans want it. You know there’s a good chance it does [get taken up by the state legislature].
We’ve been studying it, talking to the [Oklahoma City] Thunder, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. I think we just haven’t taken it up, to be honest with you, because there’s a difference of opinion on how to roll it out, but let’s get it done for Oklahomans.”
Sen. Bill Coleman said he would introduce a companion bill to HB 1027 potentially increasing the chances sports betting become legal. “Oklahomans love their sports. We have the lottery, three horse tracks, and the most tribal casinos of any state.
Sports betting through our tribal partners would simply provide another opportunity for our state’s sports fanatics to have some fun while creating thousands of new jobs and millions in revenue to further boost our economy.”
