Oklahoma
Sports Betting in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a long history of gambling as is the case with many of the states in what used to be the ‘Wild, Wild West’. Unfortunately, when Oklahoma was awarded statehood in 1890 one of the first actions of the new government was legislation to ban all forms of gambling that are not explicitly exempted.
From that point, gambling developed in much the same way as many other states only not as fast. Many states legalized parimutuel wagering during the early part of the 20th century as horse racing was the most popular sport in the US at the time. Not Oklahoma—they wouldn’t do it until 1982 and signing it into law in 1983. Counties have the right to vote on this and 12 counties have approved. Later in the decade, off track betting would be legalized. In addition, race tracks were allowed to offer video gaming machines. Today, there are three active horse racing tracks each of which offers video gaming.
The gambling scene in Oklahoma would become even more interesting when the state’s many Native American tribes got involved. In 1987, the Choctaw Indians became the first tribe to host high stake bingo games. Following the adoption of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, the state began negotiating compacts with the individual tribes. The first compact was signed in 1992 and allowed for Class 2 (‘bingo style’) games and parimutuel wagering on tribal land. The same year, the expanded the gaming offerings allowed by charities. This is under the purview of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission and includes bingo, pull-tab games and raffles.
In 2004, the state and tribes negotiated the first compact allowing Class 3 gaming. This was due in large part to the technological improvements in Class 2 machines which the state felt made enforcement difficult. This development created a huge boom in the Native American gaming scene and today there are well over 100 tribal casinos throughout Oklahoma. Casinos vary greatly in size and offerings but the biggest will have slot machines, video poker, table games, simulcast betting and live poker action. The Oklahoma Lottery began in 2005 with a typical assortment of draw and instant games.
Oklahoma hasn’t taken any concrete action on sports betting but a bill was introduced to allow the governor to expand the tribal gaming compact accordingly. If Oklahoma were to allow sports betting as part of the tribal gaming compact things could get very interesting very quickly. Much will depend on the specifics of implementation but even if it were limited to the existing Native American gaming properties that would give Oklahoma a wider variety of independent betting lines than anywhere in the United States outside of Nevada. With the trend toward consolidating in Nevada, it might not be long before Oklahoma surpassed it. If the tribes were allowed to open free standing sportsbooks and particularly technologically advanced offerings like wagering kiosks and online betting Oklahoma could very realistically have the best sports betting market in the country. At any rate, Oklahoma is a state worth keeping an eye on.
Sports Betting in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City might never be known as the ‘Gaming Capital of the World’ but there’s a surprising amount of options for area gambling enthusiasts. Should sports betting be added to the gaming menu available to Oklahoma’s Native American tribal casinos things could really get interesting.
Oklahoma has a long history of gambling as is the case with many of the states in what used to be the ‘Wild, Wild West’. Unfortunately, when Oklahoma was awarded statehood in 1890 one of the first actions of the new government was legislation to ban all forms of gambling that are not explicitly exempted. That left the state way behind the curve in legalizing any form of gambling but they’ve done a nice job getting up to speed with a big assist from the tribal properties. Oklahoma didn’t legalize parimutuel wagering until 1983 on a county by county basis. Later in the decade, off track betting would be legalized. In addition, race tracks were allowed to offer video gaming machines. Today, there are three active horse racing tracks each of which offers video gaming. The major racing property in the state is Oklahoma City’s Remington Park which runs a Fall live event schedule. Remington Park also has a simulcasting facility and 750 gaming machines.
The gambling scene in Oklahoma would really become interesting when the state’s many Native American tribes got involved. In 1987, the Choctaw Indians became the first tribe to host high stake bingo games. Following the adoption of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, the state began negotiating compacts with the individual tribes. The first compact was signed in 1992 and allowed for Class 2 (‘bingo style’) games and parimutuel wagering on tribal land. The same year, the expanded the gaming offerings allowed by charities. This is under the purview of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission and includes bingo, pull-tab games and raffles.
In 2004, the state and tribes negotiated the first compact allowing Class 3 gaming. This was due in large part to the technological improvements in Class 2 machines which the state felt made enforcement difficult. This development created a huge boom in the Native American gaming scene and today there are well over 100 tribal casinos throughout Oklahoma. Casinos vary greatly in size and offerings but the biggest will have slot machines, video poker, table games, simulcast betting and live poker action. Even Oklahoma City’s Remington Park is owned by a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation. There are also 17 other tribal gaming properties within a two hour radius of Oklahoma City. These properties offer a mix of slot machines, video poker, table games, live poker bingo and simulcasting.
Things could really take off should Oklahoma quickly add sports betting to the mix. Oklahoma hasn’t taken any concrete action on sports betting but a bill was introduced to allow the governor to expand the tribal gaming compact accordingly. If Oklahoma were to allow sports betting as part of the tribal gaming compact things could get very interesting very quickly. Much will depend on the specifics of implementation but even if it were limited to the existing Native American gaming properties that would give Oklahoma a wider variety of independent betting lines than anywhere in the United States outside of Nevada. With the trend toward consolidating in Nevada, it might not be long before Oklahoma surpassed it. If the tribes were allowed to open free standing sportsbooks and particularly technologically advanced offerings like wagering kiosks and online betting Oklahoma could very realistically have the best sports betting market in the country. At any rate, Oklahoma is a state worth keeping an eye on.
Sports Betting in Tulsa
Tulsa might take a backseat to Oklahoma City in most things but they have just as many if not more gambling options. And since Tulsa is just ninety minutes up the road from OKC they enjoy the best of both markets. Oklahoma has very quietly and quickly become a state with a wide variety of gambling options, mostly due to the growth in Native American tribal casinos. Should sports betting be added to the gaming menu available to Oklahoma’s Native American tribal casinos things could really get interesting.
Oklahoma has a long history of gambling as is the case with many of the states in what used to be the ‘Wild, Wild West’. Unfortunately, when Oklahoma was awarded statehood in 1890 one of the first actions of the new government was legislation to ban all forms of gambling that are not explicitly exempted. That left the state way behind the curve in legalizing any form of gambling but they’ve done a nice job getting up to speed with a big assist from the tribal properties. Oklahoma didn’t legalize parimutuel wagering until 1983 on a county by county basis. Later in the decade, off track betting would be legalized. In addition, race tracks were allowed to offer video gaming machines. Today, there are three active horse racing tracks each of which offers video gaming. The major racing property in the state is Oklahoma City’s Remington Park which runs a Fall live event schedule. Remington Park also has a simulcasting facility and 750 gaming machines.
The gambling scene in Oklahoma would really become interesting when the state’s many Native American tribes got involved. In 1987, the Choctaw Indians became the first tribe to host high stake bingo games. Following the adoption of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988, the state began negotiating compacts with the individual tribes. The first compact was signed in 1992 and allowed for Class 2 (‘bingo style’) games and parimutuel wagering on tribal land. The same year, the expanded the gaming offerings allowed by charities. This is under the purview of the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission and includes bingo, pull-tab games and raffles.
In 2004, the state and tribes negotiated the first compact allowing Class 3 gaming. This was due in large part to the technological improvements in Class 2 machines which the state felt made enforcement difficult. This development created a huge boom in the Native American gaming scene and today there are well over 100 tribal casinos throughout Oklahoma. Casinos vary greatly in size and offerings but the biggest will have slot machines, video poker, table games, simulcast betting and live poker action. Even Oklahoma City’s Remington Park is owned by a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation. There are also 17 other tribal gaming properties within a two hour radius of Oklahoma City. These properties offer a mix of slot machines, video poker, table games, live poker bingo and simulcasting.
Things could really take off should Oklahoma quickly add sports betting to the mix. Oklahoma hasn’t taken any concrete action on sports betting but a bill was introduced to allow the governor to expand the tribal gaming compact accordingly. If Oklahoma were to allow sports betting as part of the tribal gaming compact things could get very interesting very quickly. Much will depend on the specifics of implementation but even if it were limited to the existing Native American gaming properties that would give Oklahoma a wider variety of independent betting lines than anywhere in the United States outside of Nevada. With the trend toward consolidating in Nevada, it might not be long before Oklahoma surpassed it. If the tribes were allowed to open free standing sportsbooks and particularly technologically advanced offerings like wagering kiosks and online betting Oklahoma could very realistically have the best sports betting market in the country. At any rate, Oklahoma is a state worth keeping an eye on.
