Oklahoma
Can you bet on sports in Oklahoma? Legalization could be near the goal line
This Sunday’s Super Bowl is widely recognized as the biggest day for legal sports betting, consistently shattering records in the billions.
Many fans in Oklahoma are expected to place wagers on the game, but the state itself will not see any of that revenue.
Capitol Reporter Haley Hetrick is examining the odds that sports betting could become legal in Oklahoma this year.
One bill could change everything
Only a handful of sports betting bills have been introduced at the state Capitol, but supporters say just one needs to pass to move Oklahoma forward.
Sen. Bill Coleman believes the state is close to legalizing sports betting and says he is ready to act.
“I think we’re first down and goal on sports betting in Oklahoma from about the six-yard line.”
There’s been a multitude of reasons that sports betting hasn’t been legalized in Oklahoma, including everything from moral reasons to the parties involved to digging their heels in during negotiations.
Coleman says his perspective shifted after personally traveling out of state to place a wager.
“I took a drive to Wichita, Kansas, just south of there to the casino, to make a sports bet.”
That experience, he said, highlighted the money Oklahoma is losing to neighboring states.
“I realized we’re losing money in the state of Oklahoma. We’re losing it to out of state.”
Betting is already happening in Oklahoma
Supporters of legalization argue that sports betting is already taking place in Oklahoma, just not in a way that benefits the state.
Sports betting is one step closer to being legal in Oklahoma. Representative Ken Luttrell is back this year with gaming legislation after his bill failed last year, saying he’s hopeful the new bill will make it through this time around.
One example is Kalshi, an online prediction market where users can wager on outcomes ranging from sports to politics.
Users can even place wagers on the state’s next governor.
“You can do anything on this thing, and it’s perfectly legal. The state of Oklahoma gets zero revenue from Kalshi. The state of Oklahoma has no say in how it’s regulated,” Coleman said.
Kalshi and similar platforms operate as prediction markets, classifying their offerings as financial derivatives rather than sports betting. That distinction allows them to bypass state-level restrictions. Market data shows more than $2 billion is traded on Kalshi every week.
“The longer we let them entrench themselves into this market, the less money we’re going to be able to take in what sports betting does become legal in the state of Oklahoma.”
Multiple stakeholders, one major hurdle
Legalizing sports betting in Oklahoma involves more than lawmakers alone.
In addition to legislative approval and the governor’s signature, any plan must also align with existing gaming compacts involving 39 tribal nations.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association said delays have been frustrating.
Chairman Matthew Morgan says each group involved has its own priorities. Customers want access similar to what exists in 39 other states, while lawmakers are focused on availability statewide.
“The longer it’s drawn out, it has been a little bit frustrating for us, through the Oklahoma Gaming Association, because, you know, we feel like we’ve been at the table and ready to have productive and respectful conversations,” Morgan said.
For tribal leaders, the key issue is ensuring any plan does not violate existing gaming compacts.
What legalization could look like
Under current proposals, only tribal nations would be eligible for sports betting licenses. Professional sports teams, such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, could participate only as partners.
Oklahoma Senate passes Bill 585, opening a path for the OKC Thunder to receive a sports betting license. The proposal estimates $20 million in annual revenue for the state.
“I think under our proposals, what we’ve advocated for, you would see the vandals, the DraftKings, the fanatics, the Caesars all come into state to partner with the tribal licensee,” Morgan said.
Morgan believes an agreement could still be reached during this legislative session, opening the door for legal sports betting by the end of 2026.
“I think that there are a couple of bills out there that I would tell you, let’s do 3 or 4 tweaks you were probably there on. I mean, the bones in the foundation are there in a good way. Just needs a few tweaks here and there from my perspective.”
The legislative path forward
Ultimately, supporters say it would take just one successful vote in the Senate to move the process forward.
Two bills are currently under consideration. House Bill 1047, known as the “original plan,” would allow tribal nations to offer retail and online sports betting, with the state receiving a 10% revenue fee. House Bill 1101 offers a referendum path, sending the decision to voters if the original plan fails or is vetoed.
Both proposals would allocate gaming revenue toward education, mental health services, and responsible gaming initiatives.
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering several plans to legalize sports betting, including tribal and state-run options.
ICE plans to sell or transfer $700m in empty warehouses
US Immigration & Customs Enforcement is reportedly planning to sell or transfer seven unused warehouse facilities that were purchased as part of a major immigrant detention expansion effort.
unbranded – Newsworthy
President Donald Trump announced June 27 he would nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper, to serve as director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The Senate must CONFIRM Lance, IMMEDIATELY — Do not delay,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, calling Schroyer a “patriot” and asserting he would help carry out Trump’s broader immigration push to detain and deport individuals the administration describes as serious criminal offenders.
The move to fill the position comes months after Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE who oversaw immigration enforcement crackdowns linked to killings in Minnesota and Illinois, resigned as acting director at the end of May.
Schroyer has over 29 years in law enforcement in Oklahoma and is a U.S. Marine, Trump said. Most recently, Schroyer’s spearheaded federal-local immigration enforcement partnerships with ICE, including a program that allows state and local agencies to assist federal immigration authorities.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin also praised the selection, saying Schroyer’s background positions him to advance the administration’s immigration enforcement goals and called on the Senate to act quickly to confirm him.
Who is Lance Schroyer?
Schroyer currently serves as senior adviser to the Department of Homeland Security, where he helps coordinate immigration enforcement strategy and interagency cooperation among federal, state and local partners, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
He previously served as a major with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, overseeing emergency and special operations units that handled disaster response, civil disturbance planning, abducted child recovery efforts and tactical operations.
ICE leadership vacancy and broader enforcement debate
ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed director since early 2017 and has largely been led by acting officials.
The nomination comes as the agency continues to play a central role in Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. The Trump administration has expanded detention and deporation efforts as part of the president’s goals to crack down on people entering the country illegally. Immigration rights groups have raised concerns about civil liberties and detention conditions. ICE has faced scrutiny over enforcement actions and deaths in custody, including incidents that have prompted protests and public debate.
ICE’s detention strategies continue to evolve, including adjustments to how custody facilities are planned and utilized. At the same time, immigration enforcement officers are being deployed in more states, pointing to a wider national presence as part of the administration’s enforcement efforts.
Contributing: Reuters
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
Nowata County Emergency Management is urging motorists to avoid several roads across the county as flooding continues following recent heavy rainfall.
Officials reported water over a bridge on County Road 408 south of Road 2, between Roads 2 and 3.
Roads to Avoid
Emergency management officials issued the following road advisories:
- Road 21 between Roads 420 and 419
- Road 419 north of U.S. Highway 60
- Road 420 between Roads 27 and 28
- Road 27 west of Road 421 near Panther Creek
Officials say these roads should be avoided because of flooding.
Road 2 Closed
Emergency management also announced that Road 2 (EW 2) is closed.
Officials said some areas of the roadway have approximately 12 inches of standing water.
Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and seek alternate routes until water recedes.
Resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare are stretched thin after taking in more than 500 animals in an emergency rescue. Police arrested four people and saved the animals on Thursday in a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.
FIRST REPORTED: Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, hundreds of animals seized from Oklahoma City home
Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe answered questions about the largest animal seizure in the city’s history.
How many animals were rescued and what species were found?
Animal control officers rescued 523 animals. There were about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers took 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.
What is the latest on the animals’ health and condition?
The animals were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused of malnourished. The situation is believed to be animal hoarding, meaning there were simply too many animals on the property. Staff worked overnight to ensure the animals have food, clean water, bedding and proper car.
What resources is the shelter using to care for so many animals?
The shelter is using temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to accommodate the overflow, especially for birds, while larger animals like the horse are kept outside. Animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals. The shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to quickly move existing animals out and free up space.
Are the animals considered evidence, and when could they become available for adoption or transfer?
The animals are currently on hold as evidence, and adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.
What is the status of the criminal investigation, and are additional charges expected?
Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search. No word if the men will face charges for the animals.
-
New York6 minutes agoMetropolitan Diary Challenge Day 1: What Is Your N.Y. Story?
-
Los Angeles, Ca13 minutes agoLASD releases video of man shot by deputy after allegedly charging them with knife
-
Detroit, MI31 minutes agoRick Mahorn returns to coaching Detroit basketball with BIG3 Amps
-
San Francisco, CA43 minutes agoSuspect arrested after shooting near San Francisco Pride events, police say
-
Dallas, TX45 minutes agoDallas shooting injures 2 as police search for suspect
-
Miami, FL51 minutes agoColombia wins Group K after 0-0 draw with Portugal in Miami Stadium; both teams advance to World Cup knockouts
-
Boston, MA58 minutes agoBeyond the frame: ‘Where’s Boston?’ revisited through new oral histories – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoArizona Cardinals will face Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix for 1st time
