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Oklahoma Senate rejects sports betting legalization bill
House Bill 1047, which aimed to legalize online and retail sports betting in Oklahoma, was rejected by the Senate on April 22, 2026, by a 27-21 vote.
Despite having tribal support from the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, the Senate voted against Senator Bill Coleman’s amended version of the bill.
On April 21, 2026, Coleman expressed excitement about the upcoming vote, stressing that they’re closer than ever to legalizing sports betting in the state, noting the operations of prediction markets, and adding that the state can benefit from them.
Coleman stated before the vote:
“It does not create a new avenue of gambling. You can legally make a sports bet right now, and it’s unregulated, and we get nothing. This bill contains a regulated alternative to legal sports betting with platforms who are very concerned about problem gaming.”
However, multiple senators spoke out in opposition to the proposal, including Senator Brian Guthrie and Senator Dusty Devers.
Senator Devers said:
“This is institutionalizing a vice. So, I urge your no vote.”
Senator Guthrie added:
“It is the fastest growing addiction that is destroying young men in their 20’s, and it is online sports betting.”
After voting ended, Coleman asked the Senate to rethink the issue of legalizing sports betting in the future, as his plans to launch the market on November 1, 2026, have already failed.
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