An Oklahoma Senate Committee has passed two sports betting measures allowing the pieces of legislation to reach the Senate floor.
The state’s Senate Business and Insurance Committee passed House Bill 1047 on Thursday by an 8-1 vote as a measure that proposes giving federally recognized tribes that have compacts with the state the exclusive right to offer sports betting in Oklahoma.
The initial version of HB 1047 proposed a 10% tax rate on wagering revenue for operators.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ken Luttrell, has passed out of the Senate committee with amendments and its enacting clause stricken. Amendments to HB 1047 throughout its legislative process include changes to language regarding revenue and transaction totals.
HB 1047 was passed in the Senate Business and Insurance Committee after receiving approval from a House subcommittee earlier this year. In February, the Appropriates and Budget Select Agencies Subcommittee approved the bill, and its companion measure, before it was recommended and then later approved by the full committee.
Oklahoma House committee passes second bill
Luttrell has seen his other gambling measure, House Bill 1101, also reach the Senate floor.
HB 1011 was passed by a 6-3 vote on Thursday by the Senate Business and Insurance Committee. The bill proposes to legalize sports betting in Oklahoma through a voter referendum allowing sports betting to remain a reality in the state if HB 1047 is rejected.
Luttrell worked with tribes and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association to craft the bills, which could generate between $14 million and $42 million in revenue for the state.
The measures face an uphill battle as Gov. Kevin Stitt opposes the bills for excluding his input and allowing tribes that have compacts with the state to hold rights to betting.
“None of those bills that have moved off the floors of the House or Senate have got my input on them. As a matter of fact, they’ve excluded the governor of the State of Oklahoma from these discussions,” said Stitt during a news conference. “These are tribal-pushed bills that are only going to benefit the tribes and not the citizens of Oklahoma.”
Lawmakers have a month to discuss the bills as the state’s legislative session ends May 30.
