After a bill that would have legalized sports betting in Oklahoma failed to advance through a State Senate committee before a crucial legislative deadline, the authors of the measure are lamenting the fact that Oklahoma is "missing out" on all that juicy tax revenue that would have resulted from passage of the bill.
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 18th) – Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, today called on Gov. Kevin Stitt to collaborate with tribal leaders to advance sports betting in the future.
Sen. Coleman was the Senate principal author of HB 1027, which would have legalized sports betting in Oklahoma. He said the demise of the bill in part was the lack of coordination between the executive branch and tribal leadership.
“I continue to believe that sports betting would be a good thing for our state,” Sen. Coleman said. “The majority of my constituents who have reached out were overwhelmingly supportive of sports betting. However, it became clear during the process that there are too many unresolved issues that ultimately killed it this year.
“This legislation will take more than just passing a bill through the Legislature. When dealing with our tribal partners, compacting, and all the nuances that come with exclusivity and future gaming negotiations, we must get the governor in the same room with tribal leaders to build upon the conversation started this year by the Legislature.
“Our Native American tribes are part of the fabric of our state and what makes Oklahoma unique. We must view them as a vital partner in any negotiations that involve sports betting moving forward.
“I thank House principal author Rep. Ken Luttrell for all his hard work on this legislation and helping further the conversation. By pausing this legislation for now and having more conversations in the interim with the tribes and governor, we will be in a stronger position in the future to get this across the finish line.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 18th) – Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, today released the following statement after House Bill 1027, which would allow tribes to provide in-person and mobile sports betting, failed to advance in the Senate before last week's committee deadline.
"While I'm disappointed we didn't hit a jackpot this year on sports betting, I look forward to continued open dialogue with our tribal partners and the Governor's office, which I plan to facilitate with Senator Coleman," Luttrell said. "The 66-26 vote in the House demonstrates that legislators fully understand the economic impact, the need for improved regulation of the betting industry, the desire our citizens have for this and the importance of ensuring a level, competitive playing field for the tribes."
HB1027, which was authored in the Senate by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, would add in-person and mobile sports betting as a supplement to the state-tribal model gaming compact and create a sliding fee system for what percentage of gaming revenue goes to the state.
In its current form, tribes implementing sports betting would pay the state a 4% fee for the first $5 million dollars made in one month, a 5% fee on the next $5 million and a 6% fee for additional monies. The system would restart each month.
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) estimated sports betting could bring in up to $9,350,000 a year, of 12% would enter the general revenue fund and 88% would go toward education.
HB1027 remains property of the Senate Rules Committee, where it was not heard ahead of the April 13 deadline to pass House bills from Senate committees. The bill remains eligible for hearing next session in the Senate, which Luttrell said would allow time for more conversations and negotiations.
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