OKLAHOMA CITY — One day after a record number of people across the U.S. placed bets on the Super Bowl, an Oklahoma House of Representatives committee voted to advance a bill that would legalize sports betting, both in tribal casinos and on mobile apps.
The House Appropriations and Budget Select Subcommittee passed House Bill 1027 Monday morning with Democratic and Republican support.
While similar language has failed in previous years, HB1027 received new life after Governor Kevin Stitt (R-Okla.) announced he would be open to signing the bill.
The State of Kansas legalized sports betting last year, which allows Oklahomans to place bets on their phones as long as they are geo-located in Kansas. Other states are reporting new revenues in the millions after legalization.
The Oklahoma bill also increased its chances of survival after receiving a State Senate co-sponsor last week, meaning the bill would be shepherded through if it reaches the State Senate chamber instead of being another item the House passed that the Senate could, but is not required to, pick up. State Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City) signed on to be a co-sponsor.
Coleman said at the time it was clear to see the money that could be going towards Oklahoma services was easily leaving the state and going to other states for their programs.
Currently, Kansas and Arkansas have legalized sports betting that is open to Oklahomans who physically travel to their states and follow their procedures.
HB1027 would lay out a free system in which the state and tribes get their cut of the profits. It would allow for tribes to offer sports betting in their facilities and also through mobile apps they can partner with that have already been in place in other states, such as Fan Duel, MGM Sportsbook and Draft Kings.
HB1027 now heads to the full State House floor for a vote.
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