Is Sports Betting Legal In Oklahoma?

Is sports betting legal in Oklahoma? No, but that could change in 2026.

According to an announcement from Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, state policymakers and stakeholders made substantial progress in October. Coleman hosted the Oklahoma Legislature’s first “interim study” on sports betting.

“Oklahomans are already placing bets by crossing state lines or turning to illegal platforms,” Coleman said. “Right now, none of that activity is happening in a safe, regulated environment that generates tax revenue for the state. Legalizing sports betting would eliminate the black market and give the state and its partners the resources to identify and help problem gamblers.”

Unfortunately, regulated online sports betting is unsafe and harms the finances of state residents. Studies have shown that over half of online sports bettors chase losses. Another recent study showed that half of online bettors experience harm. In neighboring Kansas, gambling addiction rates have soared since the expansion of online gambling.

Offshore sportsbooks do prey on sports fans, but evidence shows that regulating sports gambling is not a solution to the offshore problem. Furthermore, legalization does not eliminate the unregulated market, which also includes so-called sweepstakes casinos.

Americans have also begun to view legal sports betting as bad for society.

Oklahoma in the Minority

Fortunately for Oklahomans, their state is among the 11 nationwide without legalized sportsbooks. Texas, to the south, also does not have legalized sports gambling. While efforts in Texas are stalled, Oklahoma has momentum.

According to Coleman’s announcement, policymakers are aware of tribal stakeholders. He said that the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association wants “to see sports betting legalized in a manner that respects Oklahoma’s state-tribal gaming compacts.”

Tribes have been discussing a mobile betting framework, including potential revenue-sharing models and deals with platforms.

The Oklahoma City Thunder were also involved in Oklahoma’s recent study of sports betting. The team supports legalized sports gambling, Coleman said.

On the same day as Coleman’s announcement, the U.S. Department of Justice said it uncovered an illegal gambling scheme involving the NBA. The alleged prop bet “rigging” involved legal sportsbooks.

Oklahoma Sports Betting Bills (2026)

Oklahoma will not legalize sports betting in 2025, but it could come in 2026.

“This study was about getting everyone in a room to figure out how we can come together to legalize sports betting next session,” Coleman said. “This is a real chance to create new economic opportunities and revenue streams for our state and our tribes while supporting local sports teams like the Thunder. I’m ready to do my part to get it done.”

Coleman’s Senate Bill 585, alongside House Bill 1047 and House Bill 1101, “are still eligible to be heard” when the next legislative session begins in February.

Kalshi and Polymarket in Oklahoma

While sports betting from companies like DraftKings and FanDuel remains illegal in Oklahoma, so-called “prediction” gambling is quasi-legal.

Kalshi, a sports betting platform that offers gambling in all 50 states under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), ran billboard ads in Oklahoma during the 2025 NBA Finals.

Kalshi’s product is distinct from DraftKings/FanDuel in that it allows buying and selling of “contracts” related to a sports event.

Polymarket, the other giant in the “prediction” gambling space, was working toward a U.S. reentry as of October 2025. The company would also strive to offer online gambling in all 50 states.

Notably, Oklahoma is not among the group of states seeking to close the loophole that allows Kalshi and Polymarket to operate.