Win.gg
News
Could the Oklahoma City Thunder be a catalyst for sports betting in the state? Could the Oklahoma City Thunder be a catalyst for sports betting in the state?
The Oklahoma City Thunder NBA team has pitched in on a proposal pushing for sports betting and gambling to be legalized in Oklahoma, but could it be the thing that turns the tides for sports betting in the state?
Oklahoma is one of the few states where sports betting remains illegal in the United States, but that may change as some lawmakers are pushing to allow gambling in the state. Tribal negotiations are underway, and if passed, new legislation would officially allow sports betting in the state. The state’s famed Oklahoma City Thunder pro basketball team is now formally joining that push towards legalizing sports betting while bringing a fresh solution for the state’s consideration.
Welcome Bonus – 25 SC and 25K GC signup bonus
Welcome Bonus 2026
T&Cs apply, 18+
Thunder proposes betting partnership with Oklahoma tribes
The Thunder are pushing for a framework through which the team would partner with an Oklahoma tribe consortium to offer statewide betting. The proposal would see the team receive 0.25% of resulting revenues. Will Syring, OKC Thunder vice president of corporate sponsorships, was the one to pitch the idea. Similar systems are already in place in multiple US states. Kansas, Illinois, Ohio, and Virginia are just a few states where pro sports teams, including other basketball teams like the Thunder, have such betting licenses.
Image credit: NBA
The license would allow the team to operate only outside tribal areas. Individual tribes in Oklahoma would be free to operate legal sports betting ventures, whether in-person or via
online betting sites, through their own agreements within tribal areas. If passed, this framework would also provide Oklahoma with fresh revenues that could be put to use for the benefit of the state.
The proposal seems to be beneficial for all parties involved, but can it become reality?
Oklahoma has struggled to legalize sports betting
State lawmakers are on board with passing legislation allowing sports betting, to join other
states where sports gambling is already legal, but have been unable to pass any such law. 2025 saw two bills, HB 1047 and HB 1101, that passed the state House but didn’t make it past the state’s Senate.
HB 1047 would have officially established a sports betting framework, but it would have granted exclusive betting rights to tribes. HB 1101 was a backup option that would put sports betting on the ballot if HB 1047 was vetoed. Governor Kevin Stitt has stated that he would veto any sports betting bill that gives tribes exclusive rights in Oklahoma. A push to legalize sports betting previously failed in 2020 due to disagreements with some of the state’s tribes.
The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association has stated that tribes are crucial for the legalization of sports betting. OIGA Chair Matthew Morgan has also gone on the record in stating that he is willing to work with Thunder to get sports betting legalized in Oklahoma. But any bill involving the tribes could face further challenges from Governor Stitt, even with the Oklahoma City Thunder now throwing their own weight behind it.
Feature image credit: OKC Thunder on X
Khizar Mundia
About Khizar Mundia
Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.
View full profile
Read Also
News
This is how to change your name and Riot ID in Valorant
Owen Harsono
Are you bored of your Valorant name and want to switch things up? Fortunately, Riot Games makes it very easy to change your name in Valorant. In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know about how to change your Valorant name. A Riot ID is pretty much the same thing as your Valorant name. Riot IDs feature a combination of your in-game display name, as well as ...
Counter-Strike
CS2 pro karrigan reportedly set to leave FaZe for Falcons
Hannan Mundia
Finn “karrigan” Andersen has been a cornerstone of FaZe’s CS2 team since 2021, but that may be set to change with his reported departure for Falcons. The competitive CS2 scene has a handful of reliable teams that consist of strong players. FaZe used to be part of that list, but the team’s futile attempt to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major left much to be desired. It seems that the ...
News
Donald Trump posts an image featuring crypto gambling platform Stake
Khizar Mundia
US President Donald Trump shared an image that features him, Dana White, and Stake’s logo. This has led to people questioning whether the sitting president was promoting the crypto gambling site. Trump’s Truth Social post has sparked a larger discussion on whether a president can share such images, which can be mistaken for marketing. Stake has collaborated with several prominent individuals, such as streamers, to increase its brand reach. Trump ...
News
MSL Thailand secures DXRacer partnership ahead of its first season
Hannan Mundia
With the first season of MSL Thailand on the horizon, the league has secured a partnership with DXRacer as its official gaming chair partner. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is easily one of the most well-known MOBAs in the market, competing with giants such as League of Legends and Dota 2. The game’s esports presence is huge, and developer Moonton Games aims to take that to the next level. As part ...
News
Malta poised to introduce regulated prediction markets to Europe
Khizar Mundia
Prediction markets are all the rage right now, but Europe lacks any regulated platforms for the new gambling alternative. Malta may be changing that, as the country explores introducing prediction markets to its citizens. Depending on the jurisdiction worldwide, prediction markets are classified as gambling products or financial instruments. This means that their legal status can vary substantially by region, but Malta looks to be leading the way with the ...
News
Study: What is your late-night gaming session costing your boss?
Conn Mc Gillion
Hopping on a game with friends can keep most players up far past their regular bedtime. So much so, that it can apparently affect your boss and colleagues as well as yourself. Win.gg's latest study shows that nearly half of U.S. gamers feel less productive at work the day after a late-night gaming session, with an average productivity slump of 2 hours. 49% of employed U.S. gamers feel less productive ...
Slots
How To Play CCTV Rush Hour Game by 155.io
Simon Day
If you have your finger on the pulse of gaming, then you will know the excitement about the new Rush Hour betting game from Studio 155. This unusual and innovative game has garnered a keen following as it has expanded across a number of online casinos. It is quite different to your standard gambling options on sites and that has piqued the interest of many players seeking something new and ...
