Oklahoma Sports Betting: No Legal Online OK Bookmakers
This page will introduce valuable information about the Oklahoma sports betting status and current gambling laws. We’ll summarize what has been done since PASPA’s repeal and what are the OK legislators’ future plans. Currently, there are no legal online bookmakers in Oklahoma, but this is about to change.
- This Site Contains:
- Status of Online Sports Betting
- Alternative Forms of Gambling in Oklahoma
- Differences Between Online and In-Person Betting
Oklahoma is one of the most liberal states in terms of gambling, with around 110 Indian land-based casinos. However, sports betting was never the aim of the local legislators. At least until 2018 when a special bill was introduced – House Bill 3375. However, it has not yet been voted on.
The chances of sports betting legalization in the Sooner State look promising, especially after the government’s deal with tribes. A couple of them were granted permission to offer sports betting services in their land-based facilities. Oklahoma seems gambling-friendly, from what we saw during our research.
The Legal Status of Online Sports Betting Oklahoma
Gambling may be legal, but the online sports betting Oklahoma status is still negative. Wagering in local sites is not regulated, which does not necessarily make it prohibited. However, no authority issues licenses, and therefore, online bookmakers are outlawed. For the time being, you can’t wager on sports in Oklahoma!
Legal Options for Oklahoma Residents
Sports betting in Oklahoma may soon be partially allowed in some of the brick-and-mortar tribal establishments. But until an agreement is reached, punters must stick to the other available options. And Oklahoma has a lot to offer! It’s a home for an impressive gambling industry, accommodating over 100 casinos.
Another alternative is the state’s lottery part of the Multi-State Lottery Association. The OK residents can also enjoy Standardbred, Thoroughbred, and Harness races. Simulcasts and off-track betting are legal as well. In the following sections, you can read more intriguing facts about the sports gambling opportunities in Oklahoma.
Land Based Casinos & Sportsbooks in Oklahoma
At the time of writing, the state doesn’t have legal land-based sportsbooks. Negotiations are underway between some of the tribes and the government, but there is still nothing on paper. On the other hand, over 100 Indian casinos are widespread within the state. They are regulated by the Oklahoma Office for State Finance!
These sports gambling Oklahoma establishments are the only places to play legal slots, video poker, blackjack, dice, and roulette. They also offer charitable bingo and lottery games. There are no online casinos legally operating in the state. However, there are a few US brands offering daily fantasy sports.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Oklahoma
Daily fantasy sports are very popular not just in the US but worldwide. Players train their teams or assets and participate in various short-term contests. The most popular games are soccer, football, horse races, and basketball. There are several DFS sportsbook Oklahoma sites you can visit and have fun at.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Yahoo, and FantasyDraft are all accessible from the Sooner State. You can also search for downloadable mobile apps in Google Play and iTunes. Keep in mind that besides virtuals, these bookmakers also offer games like poker, blackjack, and slots. The online play of those isn’t legal in Oklahoma.
Horse Racing and Ogg-Track Betting in Oklahoma
Online sports betting in the state is prohibited, with one serious exception – off-track betting. But let’s start from the beginning! Oklahoma provides three fine horse racetracks to all fans of races and wagering. In addition, there are six off-track betting locations hosted by five tribal casinos and a cafe.
If you are anywhere nearby Claremore, Tulsa, or Oklahoma City, it’s worth stopping by Will Rogers Downs, Fair Meadows, and Remington Park. You’ll enjoy Thoroughbred and Harness races. Besides in person, you can place your wagers via the several approved apps, like TwinSpires. Online off-track betting on horses is legal!
Poker Rooms in Oklahoma
Fans of poker know that Oklahoma is a White-Hot Poker Action state. At the time of writing, there are 17 poker rooms, some of which broadcast live. Oklahoma is part of the WSOP calendar. Besides video poker, many of the top OK casinos host Hold’Em and Stud tables.
Charity poker tournaments are also held in the state. They are free of rake, which is considered legal only if it’s done by croupiers in licensed establishments. Players in the state will find plenty of online poker sites, but Oklahoma’s legislature prohibits participating in such games.
| Betting Type | Legal | Regulatory Body |
|---|---|---|
| 🏈 Online Sports Betting | No | None |
| 🎰 Online Casinos | No | None |
| ⚾ Daily Fantasy Sports | Yes | Oklahoma Office for State Finance |
| 🏢 Land-Based Casinos | Yes | Oklahoma Office for State Finance |
| 🏨 Land-Based Sportsbooks | Yes | Oklahoma Office for State Finance |
| 🃏 Poker Rooms | Yes | Oklahoma Office for State Finance |
| 🏇 Racetrack Betting | Yes | Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission |
| 🎫 State-Sponsored Lottery | Yes | Oklahoma Lottery Commission |
Legal Status of Offshore Bookies in Oklahoma
Oklahoma residents have access to many offshore online betting sites. Reputable or not, these brands are not safe. They act unregulated in the state’s so-called “grey area.” There are no specific laws prohibiting offshore bookies, but using them is punishable since sports betting isn’t legal in Oklahoma yet.
Moreover, casino-style games are allowed only on the territory of the facilities run by the state’s tribes. Obviously, offshore gambling sites don’t meet that article of the law. The online sportsbooks operating unlicensed can be scams too! They could take advantage and steal your money and personal information.
Sports Betting in Oklahoma – Pending Legislation
Oklahoma is a state known for many years about its gambling industry. Currently, 33 local tribes have compacts with the government and run land-based establishments. The offered games are far from sports betting – slots, video poker, dice, and other table classics. The state’s legislation periodically rejects sports betting.
There were certain discussions after PASPA’s nix down. However, the US Department of the Interior does not seem to agree with the state’s lawmakers. Because of that, Oklahoma sports betting remains somewhere in the middle between legalization and negotiations. Nevertheless, online play is unlikely to be unlocked soon.
The first attempt of bringing it into the state was made in 2013. The purpose of the proposal was to legalize online poker and other gambling games, already available in the tribal land-based casinos. Negotiations were successful in the beginning, but then a cold shower followed by the US DOI.
Another bill was introduced in 2020, aiming at the establishment of betting shops in tribal gaming facilities. Sides were close to signing the deal, but the state’s Supreme Court intervened and stopped it. The taste of change remains, however, and we are excited to see what will happen next.
Legalization Attempts In the Past
So far, there were no explicit attempts for regulating online sports betting Oklahoma. Although there are many similar sites operating in the US and accepting wagers from OK punters, they remain illegal in the state. The same applies to Oklahoma horse wagering apps, but they seem to be tolerated.
Tribes and parties involved in the OK gambling industry know that the online market offers great opportunities. They see the demand and the open door after PASPA’s revocation. But even before that, Universal Group and two Oklahoma tribes – Arapaho and Cheyenne tried to reach an agreement with the government.
In 2013, a deal with Mary Fallin, the state’s Governor, was reached for the establishment of PokerTribes online platform. It was meant to be the OK first and only legal site for playing online poker and other games of luck. The estimated value of that endeavor was almost $10 million.
A year later, the US Department of the Interior shut the project completely. The reason – the state already hosts enough gambling establishments. The Iowa tribe of Oklahoma and several others re-raised the proposal, along with another one – bookmaker shops in some casinos. Nevertheless, sports betting in Oklahoma is still prohibited!
Current Laws Regulating Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is not regulated in Oklahoma! However, after PASPA, there is no federal or state law specifically prohibiting that type of wagering. Most sports gambling Oklahoma laws regulate horse races, off-track betting, and casino-style games. So, obviously, the status is unclear, but no authority has the power to license.
Discussions about sports betting legalization in Oklahoma are still in progress. Some of the local tribes thought that they made a breakthrough with their proposal for allowing pool-style betting – House Bill 3375. The benefits of accepting it are obvious – more tax revenue, additional jobs, and a safer environment for Oklahoma punters.
- Increased tax revenue
- More jobs in Oklahoma
- Safer betting environment
- Potential regulatory issues
- Potential for increases in gambling addiction
- Won’t eliminate scam betting sites
The bill was filled in 2018, but so far was not yet voted on. It was sponsored by the Republicans Kevin Wallace and Senator Greg McCortney. The estimated annual tax revenue was calculated between $28 – $30 million. For example, the entire tribal gaming generated $123.6 million in taxes for 2020.
A huge argument is also that around 90% of the new income will be used to support the Education Reform Revolving Fund of Oklahoma. In addition, the Republican party strives to concrete its positions in the state by opening new jobs. And all that is just the social element.
Current Outlook for Pending Legislation
The Oklahoma sports betting status may soon change, but that doesn’t apply for online wagering. The Indian tribes are trying to take advantage of the US Supreme Court decision from 2018, and until the land-based retail shops are approved and settled, most probably the rest will remain on the periphery.
The Oklahoma residents have wide access to different sports betting online sites. Many of them have been recently legalized in other US states. Punters are not restricted to creating accounts and playing. If these sportsbooks become OK regulated, this will seriously affect the state’s budget in a positive way!
Future Outlook of Online Sports Betting in Oklahoma
The final authority regulating gambling in the state is the Oklahoma Office for State Finance. Although tribes take care of all Class II and III games, the state must also supervise them. In case online sports betting Oklahoma becomes legal, perhaps the same body will be tasked to seize control.
The Oklahoma Lottery Commission is also a potential option to license and regulate online sports betting sites. It’s not difficult to imagine what online gambling will look like. Bookmakers will offer both web-based platforms and mobile apps, providing various US leagues and international sports, like soccer, hockey, and basketball.
The legalization of sports wagering will increase the state’s revenue from gambling taxes. The current federal law rules that you must pay 24% tax on all winnings exceeding $1,200 or 300 times your stake. In addition, the state charges additional tax on winnings. Operators must provide you with a W-2G form.
This is a massive call for the betting sites legalization in Oklahoma. For the time being, unregulated and offshore bookies don’t ask punters to fill such a form. They will not pay taxes, and neither will players. The Oklahoma income tax is progressive from 0.50% to 5%.
Plans for Future Legalization of Online Betting Sites in Oklahoma
There are plans for changing the laws regarding sports betting in Oklahoma. Perhaps the bill will be finally voted on in 2022. Indeed, pool-betting isn’t exactly how most punters understand sports wagering, but it’s a start. However, they will have to wait longer before being able to place wagers online.
Ironically, the well-developed gaming industry in Oklahoma is maybe the biggest problem in legalizing online sports gambling. Many lawmakers and residents believe that the efforts in that direction are fueled by potential profits only. Probably they need to pay attention to other arguments, like improved betting conditions, for example.
Online Betting vs. Land-Based Sportsbooks
Betting in person is fun and many people prefer it for their leisure time, especially if they live close to land-based play-halls or racetracks. At the same time, distance is irrelevant for those choosing the sports gambling Oklahoma sites. Unfortunately, legal ones are currently unavailable as the sector is unregulated.
In recent years, online gambling has become more and more popular because of its many advantages. Betting sites offer a much greater variety of sports, markets, and events. The best bookies provide access to literally all athlete events competitions worldwide. Punters will also find a massive diversity of betting types.
So what can compare with all that? Well, the land-based books have a few unbeatable advantages too. First of all, they accept ticket cancellations. You can annulate your bet if the event has not started. Furthermore, you can discuss your strategy or the latest sports news with other passionate punters.
In fact, the social element is the main reason for so many betting shops to still exist, given the recent development of virtual platforms. Online forums and dedicated chat rooms are some of the unsuccessful vendors’ attempts to offer a similar environment. Another reason to choose in-person gambling is because of the special offers.
If we look at other states that have already legalized sports betting, we can imagine that every sportsbook Oklahoma will offer unique deals. They are not too different from the online gambling bonuses. The main difference here is the frequency, variety, and lucrativity. Surely, the betting sites have an advantage in that aspect.
We can calmly say that online bookies are much more customer-oriented than the land-based facilities. They are open 24 hours, every day of the week, and are accessible from every location. The registration process is fast and usually takes a few minutes. Deposits and withdrawals are safe!
Some people might say that you can’t feel the genuine thrill of sports betting by doing it from the comfort of your home. Well, if you like winning money, then you’ll surely appreciate the better offers, higher odds, and minimum house edge. From punters’ perspective, online wagering is more beneficial.
Even if we put aside everything we’ve said so far, there’s another very important reason Oklahoma legalizes online betting. The regulated market means more safety and fair play for gamblers. They can count on the honesty of the licensed operators and raise disputes if they believe that they are scammed.
Currently, this is impossible because the offshore bookies operating in Oklahoma are illegal under UIGEA. Players will feel safer about their personal information as well. All over the world, approved bookmakers must be registered data operators, another requirement to be supervised by the licensing authority.
In conclusion, we can say that both in-person and online sports betting can be fun, advantageous, or dangerous. It all depends on your preferences and previous experience. From the standpoint of an impartial analyst, we can say that sites offer more options and better profits. But only the licensed ones!
On the flip side, the large retail shops will hardly scam you, but the offers might not be as good as on the online platforms. The odds may be much worse, eating a lot of your potential winnings. The excitement and personal touch, on the other hand, are also different!
The History of Online Sports Gambling in Oklahoma
Oklahoma sports betting might not be legalized yet, but gambling in the state has a rich history. It all started in the early 1800s when the native Indian tribes were forced to move to the Sooner State. Almost two centuries later, Oklahoma became the US state with the most tribal casinos.
Boomer’s Paradise is also known for its horse racetracks and OTBs. If all that is not enough for you, then you should try the state’s lottery. It was launched in 2005 and is regulated by the Oklahoma Lottery Commission. Below, you can find some interesting facts about the Oklahoma gambling history.
Bradley Act, PASPA, or Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was enacted in 1992 with a 95% majority. Its purpose was to outlaw sports betting on a nationwide scale, with an exception for a few states, like Nevada. PASPA is now an overturned law since the US Supreme Court struck it down in 2018.
It was called unconstitutional, conflicting with the 10th Amendment. As of May 14, 2018, all US states can proceed and legalize any form of sports betting, including online wagering. Nowadays, most states have already taken advantage of, but Oklahoma is not one of them. However, we must mention that there are House discussions.
Licensing Requirements
Maybe online sports betting Oklahoma will become legal in the near future. If so, the operators applying for a license will have to fulfill the mandatory requirements. Usually, the details are different for every state, but a few concerning safety and security are identical. Licensing bodies are responsible for players’ protection!
Authorities like the Oklahoma Lottery Commission, check every applicant for its legitimacy. Furthermore, operators must be fiscally capable of eventually paying the winning tickets and jackpots. Licensing bodies also make sure that all taxes are paid in time and, if needed, apply penalties to dishonest sportsbooks.
We are optimistic that sports betting in Oklahoma will be licensed sooner or later for the goodness of all residents. Government can only protect them by regulating the industry. Punters will have fair chances of winning only if they choose licensed and supervised bookies. Otherwise, nothing is certain!
Betting on black market sportsbooks can cause loss of money or even worse. As we mentioned earlier, these operators are considered illegal according to UIGEA. There is no legal recourse if you are frauded, and according to the current laws, you can face serious charges. Federal laws are even harsher!
Oklahoma Black Market Bookmakers
In this section on our page, you can always seek information about the illegal online betting sites in Oklahoma. There are many reasons to avoid them, starting with the loss of your hard-earned money to the theft of identity. First and foremost, no one can oblige non-licensed bookies to pay your profits.
Secondly, there is a huge chance that those sites will be pure scams. The moment you create an account and make a deposit, you may lose your funds. On the other side, the fraudulent subject may also sell your personal and banking data to third parties. Of course, that is the worst case scenario.
Most online sportsbooks operating in the state are just doing it as there is no authority to criminalize their actions. They would apply for a license if they had the opportunity. Still, these brands are unregulated and prohibited according to the Oklahoma gambling laws. Placing wagers on their platforms is not safe.
One of the main responsibilities of the sports betting regulators is to provide assistance. If you believe that the sportsbook was dishonest to you, you can raise a dispute. However, if there is no administrative body to investigate the case, then it’s all for nothing.
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Conclusion – Oklahoma Betting Sites are Illegal
The situation with Oklahoma sports betting seems complicated for the moment. Legislatures are not sure whether it’s a good idea to vote on a bill that will allow companies other than native tribes to cut a piece of the pie. On the other hand, the genie is already out of the bottle.
The decision on PASPA from 2018 has changed everything. Several years later, massive companies known for their hotel chains and casinos are now online. They provide high-quality gambling and sports betting apps. Furthermore, numerous offshore companies stepped in, knowing that the first will have an advantage.
We’ll regularly check the progress with online sports betting Oklahoma legalization. We will report any changes along with valuable information about the other forms of gambling. Remember that the state is a friend to many options, including daily fantasy sports, lottery, and charitable games, like bingo and raffles.
Boomer’s Paradise hosts 100+ land-based casino establishments owned and operated by 39 tribal nations. You can find the best slot machines, video poker, blackjack, roulette, and dice games. Just remember that gambling is addictive, and you must stay cold-minded when playing. Avoid betting sites as they are illegal in Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, our Oklahoma sports betting guide is comprehensive enough to answer all of your questions. Keep reading and find out detailed replies to some popular questions. We encourage our readers to send inquiries in order to help you get valuable knowledge about online sports betting.