Will Conflict of Interest Torpedo Sports Betting Legalization in Oklahoma?
Another attempt to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma may once again prove unsuccessful. The plan presented by Governor Kevin Stitt in November faced opposition from tribal leaders.
Legalization of Sports Betting in Oklahoma Faces New Complications
Despite Governor Stitt’s ambitious plans and expressed support for the legalization of sports betting in Oklahoma, very little progress has been made on this front. The draft bill faced criticism from tribal leaders, who argue that the proposal is unfair to them and that they had no involvement in its development.
Stitt has indeed taken steps to grant tribes exclusive rights to operate land-based sports betting, while also introducing a $500,000 fee for commercial mobile operators seeking a license. However, this may prove insufficient, as opponents of the bill argue that mobile betting ultimately accounts for 95% of revenues.
The tribes see no reason why mobile sports betting should not fall under the current agreements between the state and the tribes, which grant them exclusive rights to conduct gambling activities.
Far from Reaching an Agreement
According to Matthew Morgan, Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, the state has not shown a genuine willingness to reach an agreement with the tribes. “Any discussion of sports betting never left the ground because there was just too much posturing, too much disagreement on how the industry worked,” said Morgan.
The tribes prefer to discuss the terms of the current agreement rather than sign a new one. Given the current situation, the legalization of sports betting in Oklahoma is becoming increasingly complicated, and reaching an agreement seems to be a distant prospect.
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