At the recent Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Matt Morgan, the head of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), touched on the topic of sports betting, stating that tribes are open to discussions about its future. However, he made it clear that they will not budge until Governor Kevin Stitt either changes his position or moves on.
Governor Stitt, who took office in 2018, has had a tumultuous relationship with Indian country in Oklahoma. He has been involved in legal disputes with lawmakers over compact negotiations and has caused friction by attempting to determine the parameters of legal wagering without respecting tribal sovereignty or exclusivity.
Oklahoma boasts the second largest tribal gaming market in the United States, trailing only behind California, and is home to a thriving land-based casino industry. The state is host to 39 tribes that operate over 125 gaming establishments, some of which attract customers from nearby Texas. Despite this robust gaming scene, the legalization of sports betting has remained a challenge.
The tribes in Oklahoma hold exclusive gaming rights in the state. Nevertheless, Governor Stitt unveiled a proposal for a legal wagering framework last year that included provisions for both tribal and commercial gaming. The plan would have granted tribes the ability to offer retail sports betting while allowing commercial operators to facilitate online wagering. In other states where sports betting is legal, the majority of revenue—around 90%—comes from online betting.
However, the proposal received little support, and Indian country responded negatively to Stitt’s approach. In a statement, Matt Morgan criticized the governor for his lack of meaningful communication with tribal leaders, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government dialogue.
Senator Casey Murdoch introduced a bill in February that mirrored Stitt’s plan. Despite being referred to the rules and appropriations committee, the bill never progressed to hearings. Chief Gary Batton of the Choctaw Nation voiced opposition to the proposal, expressing concerns for the well-being of both Oklahoma residents and tribal nations.
Governor Stitt’s previous attempts to legalize sports betting included signing compacts with two small tribes in the state, a move that sparked backlash from various sectors. Legislators filed a lawsuit against the governor, leading to a state court ruling that the compacts were invalid and the expulsion of the two tribes from OIGA.
Stitt’s contentious relationship with the tribes has garnered attention nationwide, with Susan Jenson of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association encouraging a partnership rather than confrontation during the OIGA conference in August. Looking ahead, Senator Bill Coleman announced plans to introduce a sports betting bill in 2025 to meet the growing demand in Oklahoma and prevent the loss of tax revenue to neighboring jurisdictions.
Despite the challenges, Matt Morgan reiterated last week that Oklahoma’s tribes are willing to engage in discussions about sports betting, albeit cautiously. He underscored the unity among OIGA members in advancing the industry, communities, and state, expressing a willingness to collaborate with partners who share the same vision.
“We have new faces in the state legislature and new leadership in each chamber,” Morgan stated during a G2E panel titled ‘Tribal Sovereignty and Sports Betting: A Delicate Balance.’ “We will wait to see where the legislature and Governor Stitt’s priorities align.”
