In their policy recommendations and recommended amendments to the state’s sports betting laws, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) emphasized the significance of safeguarding tribal gaming compacts and maintaining economic sustainability.
Sen. Dave Rader (R-Tulsa) and Rep. Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City), the authors of two important sports betting measures, Senate Bill 125 and House Bill 1047, received clarification language from OIGA following 18 months of deliberations.
The three principles that underpin the clarifying language that OIGA recommends are: do no harm to existing gaming compacts; use the statutory process for the state to offer additional forms of gaming to tribal gaming compacts; and acknowledge that any offer must be financially advantageous to both the state and the tribes for the potential sports betting market.
Kevin Stitt, the governor of Oklahoma, has long been at odds with tribal nations and has threatened to veto any sports betting legislation that gives tribes exclusive rights. His position, according to tribal officials, aims to revert to agreements made in 2004, when tribes obtained the exclusive right to engage in Class III gaming, which includes sports betting.
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Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chairman Matthew Morgan stated that it is not feasible to go back and that the tribes are not in a haste to reach a consensus on this matter, particularly if it is a terrible one for them.
Negotiations are more complicated in Oklahoma than in other states where tribal sports betting is legal, according to Wyandotte Nation Chief Billy Friend. “Compared to many other states that currently allow sports betting with tribes, where there aren’t as many tribes to come to an agreement,” Friend explained.
There are still three legislation being considered:
- Representative Luttrell’s House Bill 1047.
- Senator Rader’s Senate Bill 125.
- A bill introduced by Senator Bill Coleman that would grant a sports betting license to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tribal officials said they don’t have enough votes to override a Stitt veto this session, despite the current legislative debates. They are still amenable to discussions, though.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond of Oklahoma, who is running for governor, chastised Stitt for his combative stance on tribal gaming.
“As of right now, our governor thinks it’s a zero-sum game. We lose if you win. You lose when we win. However, we are aware that’s not the best course of action,” Drummond stated, promising to work with tribes to develop customized compacts.
Monroe Nichols, the mayor of Tulsa, also offered his thoughts, highlighting the past hardships faced by Native American communities. Nichols remarked, “I don’t have to talk to natives about broken promises and uncertainty.” “However, I must admit that I am inspired because, despite the repeated broken promises, today is an example of what we constantly witness.”
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