Mazzei Wins Gubernatorial Race; Oklahoma Sports Betting On the Table

Oklahoma sports betting was always going to run through the state’s tribes, if it happened at all. After Election Night, the tribal leaders will now have a friendly face on the other side of the table.

Republican Mike Mazzei, who cited his positive relationship with Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton during the campaign, held on in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial race, defeating Democratic opponent Cyndi Munson by six points. Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8:30 p.m. Central Time, as Mazzei replaces Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Even though the two are from the same party, Mazzei’s election signals a major shift, one that makes Oklahoma sports betting viable. Stitt, who was term-limited, spent much of his second term fighting with his own party as well as Oklahoma’s tribal leaders. Stitt’s relations began to break down in 2023, when he proposed a plan to bring legal sports betting to Oklahoma without the tribes.

The tribes didn’t appreciate that, and the sides’ working relationship struggled from there. Given the tribes’ importance to Oklahoma, Oklahoma Republicans sided with the tribes, making for an awkward working relationship with Stitt. For the final years of his term, Oklahoma legislators regularly overrode Stitt’s vetoes, a rarity for members of the same party.

The best example came earlier this year, when Stitt vetoed a ban on sweepstakes casinos. The tribes had asked for a ban, claiming it cut into their revenues at their brick-and-mortar casinos. The legislators heard their pleas and overrode Stitt’s veto, protecting tribal interests.

What Will Mazzei Mean For Oklahoma Sports Betting?

Mazzei didn’t make sports betting part of his message, as that wasn’t an issue where he had any conflict with Munson. As such, that doesn’t mean that Oklahoma sports betting is a sure thing for 2027.

What it does mean is that Mazzei will work with the tribal leaders to reach a deal on sports betting. It also means that if and when state legislators put forth a bill, Mazzei isn’t going to block it. As long as the tribes give their approval, he will likely sign such a bill.

Above all, Mazzei made clear he plans to make tribal collaboration a centerpiece of his administration. During the campaign, he said that his first priority is an executive order to enforce the state’s constitution forbidding foreign ownership of Oklahoma’s land. He said he plans to craft that order with tribal input, a firm stake as to where his administration will stand.

Will a Bill Pass In 2027?

Such a bill is likely to come in January from Sen. Bill Coleman (R-Ponca City). Coleman was one of two authors of the previous bill, and he won his re-election race by 44 points. He will either have to choose a different partner in the Oklahoma House to pair with or go it alone, however, as Rep. Ken Littrell (R-Ponca City) chose not to run for re-election.

Whether it can pass depends on the Oklahoma Senate and how much Coleman can convince his colleagues. Although Democrats made gains in Oklahoma’s House, they did not flip any state Senate seats. That means Coleman has to find four flips among his own party to get a bill to Mazzei.

Given that Coleman crafted his previous bill with tribal input, their support is expected to be a formality. If he takes the same process again, Mazzei will likely offer his support.

How Likely Is Oklahoma Sports Betting to Come Online Soon?

It depends on when a bill passes and how intricate the details are. In practice, legal sports betting takes about 180 days to go from signed into law to operational in the state.

In Oklahoma’s case, details to be decided could include how many sportsbooks could enter the state, how many tribes would partner with a sportsbook, how the Five Tribes (the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee and Seminole Tribes) are treated compared to other tribes, and tax rates to the state. Given that Oklahoma has 39 tribes in all, as well as the Five Tribes’ political power, that could take several months in the event of a signed bill.

If so, that could push legal Oklahoma sports betting to the end of 2027, or possibly even 2028.