OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – After 18 months of closed-door discussions, leadership of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) released policy positions and recommendations around current and future proposed sports betting legislation in Oklahoma. OIGA transmitted clarifying language and recommended wording to Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, author of Senate Bill 125, and Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, author of House Bill 1047.
Clarifying language recommended by OIGA is based on three principles: do no harm to current gaming compacts; utilize the statutory process for the state to offer additional forms of gaming to our gaming compacts (i.e. Gaming Supplement Process); and recognize that any offer must make economic sense for tribes and the state for the potential Oklahoma sports betting market.
“Our membership has been listening carefully to the conversations around sports betting legislation in Oklahoma,” said Matthew L. Morgan, OIGA Chairman. “We have also met with those proposing legislation and some of the key entities supporting the proposed legislation. After much discussion, OIGA members have articulated a position on sports betting.”
“We believe that the language offered stays true to our guiding principles and puts forth a position that has broad tribal support and attempts to be inclusive of other sports betting stakeholders within parameters of the law,” said Morgan. “While we are not finished having our internal discussions around potential future forms of gaming, we think that our proposed language is a great first step to bring legal sports betting to our gaming customers. Finally, we also recognize the importance of letting our friends in the legislature know our thoughts as they work within their legislative timelines.”
About Tribal Gaming in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, of the 38 federally recognized tribes, 33 operate governmental gaming operations in accordance with the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). That framework requires that any revenues from gaming operations be used for five core purposes: funding tribal operations; providing for the general welfare of the tribe and its members or citizens; promoting tribal economic development; donating to charitable organizations; and helping to fund operations of local government agencies. The amount of good Oklahoma’s tribes have done – and continue to do – has changed our state, improving the lives of all Oklahomans.
Tribal nations have put more than 113,000 Oklahomans to work, in good-paying positions in industries and initiatives made possible by revenues generated by gaming. The gaming industry itself employs many thousands of people, but so do tourism, transportation, healthcare, technology, government services and more. The benefits go far beyond jobs.
Community support from tribes keeps Oklahoma’s non-profits thriving. All Oklahomans benefit from tribal philanthropy. The state’s non-profits have received more than $61 million in support from tribal donations and sponsorships.
