Oklahoma, with a population of just shy of 4million, is yet to get involved in the sports betting Gold Rush.
The state has its share of big sports brands, with pro basketball franchise Oklahoma City Thunder leading the way.
At collegiate level the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) are perennial powerhouses in the Big12 Conference.
OU and the Texas Longhorns have one of college football’s biggest rivalries (The Red River Shootout), played annually at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. OU and OSU also meet annually in another massive rivalry, known as ‘Bedlam’.
Sadly, you can’t bet on any games in-state as yet, and it’s a messy situation all round.
Is sports betting legal in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma’s lack of legal sports betting is all self-inflicted damage as they say.
Internal squabbling is killing any chance of legalization at present, with Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Mike Hunter completely at odds (no pun intended). Stitt is in favour of opening up, Hunter meanwhile did not like the way he went about it.
We’re left with a situation where for now, two local tribes could if they wanted offer sportsbooks at their casinos. But you would only be able to bet online while on the property. Not the greatest of options.
Legal sports betting near Oklahoma
With no ‘live’ options for sports betting in Oklahoma, you’ll need to head out of state to wager. Your best options nearby – right now – are:
Arkansas: Your closest option now, though there are limited opportunities. There are no online or mobile products allowed – just land-based casinos at Oaklawn Racetrack (a five-hour drive from Oklahoma City), Southland Racetrack (six hours away) or Saracen Casino Annex (five hours away). The legal age is 21.
Colorado: Pretty competitive market which is good news for bettors heading into the state, but the journey from OK is a very long one. Online and mobile options as well as land-based sites are available, and you’ll need to be aged 21 or older.
New Mexico: You can bet on sports at some tribal casinos. Check out our NM state guide for more details on where and how. You’ll need to be 21 or over.
NB: Kansas and Missouri look well placed to legalize sports betting in 2021, but Texas could be some way off yet. Our state guides on all three will keep you posted on the breaking news.
Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Oklahoma?
Offshore sportsbooks cannot operate legally in Oklahoma, or any other state in the U.S.
If you do bet with them you have zero protection if anything goes wrong, so we would advise you to avoid them. Look instead to states which do offer legal sports betting.