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At the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) last week, Matt Morgan, Chair of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), made it clear that Oklahoma’s tribes remain open to discussing the future of sports betting in the state. However, they are unwilling to proceed until Governor Kevin Stitt either moves on from office or changes his stance on the matter.
Governor Stitt, in office since 2018, has had a challenging relationship with Oklahoma’s tribal nations. His attempts to negotiate gaming compacts without prioritizing tribal sovereignty and exclusivity have soured relations, sparking lawsuits from both tribal leaders and state lawmakers. Stitt’s approach has particularly frustrated the tribes, as they hold exclusivity over gaming in Oklahoma—making the state the second largest tribal gaming market in the United States after California.
The Tribes’ Stance on Gaming Exclusivity
Oklahoma’s 39 federally recognized tribes operate over 125 gaming facilities, which attract not only local patrons but also visitors from neighboring states, such as Texas. These facilities, a major economic driver, have contributed significantly to the state’s financial and cultural landscape. However, sports betting remains illegal, a sticking point exacerbated by Governor Stitt’s proposal last year, which sought to involve both tribal and commercial operators in a new legal wagering framework.
Under Stitt’s plan, tribes would be granted the right to offer retail sports betting, while commercial operators would be allowed to provide digital betting services. Across the U.S., digital betting has accounted for nearly 90% of revenue in states where sports betting is legal. But the governor’s framework faced intense backlash from Oklahoma’s tribal nations, which viewed it as a direct encroachment on their gaming exclusivity rights. “Stitt has not engaged in meaningful and respectful government-to-government discussion with tribes,” Morgan remarked at the time, encapsulating the tribes’ frustration with the governor’s approach.
Tribal Pushback and Legislative Challenges
Senator Casey Murdoch introduced a bill based on Governor Stitt’s proposal earlier this year, but it stalled in committee without receiving a single hearing. The plan, which lacked strong support, was criticized by tribal leaders and state officials alike. Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation pointed out that the proposal does not align with the best interests of either Oklahoma residents or the tribal nations, which have heavily invested in the state’s development.
Governor Stitt’s attempt to legalize sports betting through new compacts with two smaller tribes also proved controversial. These compacts were deemed invalid by a state court, resulting in lawsuits against the governor and leading to the expulsion of the two tribes from the OIGA. The tribes’ mistrust in the governor’s intentions has become a high-profile issue, even drawing attention from Indian country leaders across the nation.
During the OIGA conference in August, Susan Jenson from the California Nations Indian Gaming Association urged Oklahoma’s state government to work in partnership with the tribes rather than antagonizing them. “Partner with the tribes. Don’t try to fight the tribes. Partner with them,” she emphasized, underscoring the value of collaborative relationships between governments and Native nations.
Moving Forward: A New Approach on the Horizon?
Despite Governor Stitt’s resistance, change could be on the horizon. With Stitt term-limited until 2026, several state leaders have indicated a willingness to revisit sports betting discussions. Senator Bill Coleman announced in September that he plans to introduce a bill on sports betting in 2025, citing high demand within Oklahoma and a desire to prevent tax revenue losses to neighboring states.
However, Coleman refrained from providing specifics, leaving questions about what form his proposal might take and how it would address the concerns of Oklahoma’s tribes. For now, the OIGA remains cautiously optimistic about future developments. As Matt Morgan reiterated during the G2E panel, Oklahoma’s tribal nations are willing to engage in conversations about sports betting, provided their sovereignty and exclusivity rights are respected.
“Our members remain united to move our industry, our communities, and our state forward,” said Morgan. “We will work with any partners who share that vision.”
Oklahoma’s tribes are looking to the state legislature’s new leadership and watching for signs of change from Governor Stitt’s administration. Until then, they’re holding firm, emphasizing that meaningful progress will require a respectful and collaborative approach to the future of gaming in Oklahoma.
