Oklahoma Casinos

History Of Gambling In Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma took its time to regulate and legalize various forms of gambling. And for quite a while, all forms of gambling were even considered illegal. Thanks to the Oklahoman lawmakers, gambling was made possible and legal, and soon the state thrived.

• 1800: The mid-1800s can easily be regarded as the era when gambling first started in the state of Oklahoma. Through makeshift, temporary, horse racing venues, the Oklahoma residents used to bet on horses. This was considered to be the very first type of gambling in OK.
• 1916: After a long duration of unregulated gambling, Oklahoma resorted to banning all sorts of gambling in the state.
• 1982: The first legislation for legalizing pari-mutuel betting on horse racing was passed. This was the first step towards legalizing gambling after the ban.
• 1983: Finally, betting on horse races was legalized after the Oklahoma Horse Racing Act was passed by the State Legislature.
• 1987: The first high-stakes bingo games were hosted by Choctaw Indians on their land.
• 1988: Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was passed by the Federal Government.
• 1992: Oklahoma tribes signed the first compacts. Therefore, class 2 games and pari-mutuel horse racing were approved on tribal lands. Charitable Games Act was passed. This act allowed bingo, raffles, and pull-tab games to be held under the license of the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission (ABLE).
• 2004: A compact was negotiated to allow class 3 gaming, and it was finally approved. This allowed tribal casinos and racinos.
• 2005: A legislation was passed in 2003 but came into effect in 2005. This approved and legalized the state lottery, including the multi-state lottery games like Powerball.
• 2011: A police officer was arrested for horse race betting online on a site that illegally operated on the land of Oklahoma.
• 2013: Two tribes were prohibited from offering PokerTribes.com.
• 2014: A record revenue of more than $4 billion was generated by the tribal casinos.
• 2016: The Iowa tribe in Oklahoma launched an international real money poker site.
• 2017: The bill for Daily Fantasy Sports was introduced.
• 2018: The economy of Oklahoma received a boost as it earned $13 billion dollars through the 130 gaming operations.

Is it Legal to Gamble Online in Oklahoma?

Can I gamble online in OK? This is a question asked by many residents or visitors in Oklahoma. The answer to this query is a bit ambiguous. That is because the state neither allows nor prohibits players from gambling online.

However, it does outlaw the operation the online casinos in the state of Oklahoma. So, while you cannot play at any Oklahoma casino sites-since there aren’t any, you can always hop onto an offshore virtual casino to play all kinds of gambling games. And this will not have any legal complications.

So, everyone who is wondering, ‘Is online gambling legal in Oklahoma,’ we have explained the answer above. However, it is recommended not to use any unlicensed offshore sites as that could have legal repercussions and might not be safe for the player.

Online Casino

As we explained above, legal online gambling in OK is possible. But, with the absence of any legal casino sites, many of you must be wondering how to gamble online in Oklahoma and that too without any legal complications.

Well, we have got you covered. To gamble online, you can log in to your favorite casino site that is based offshore and accepts players from Oklahoma. This type of online gambling in OK is regarded as safe.

To date, a wide range of casino sites are available to people from various states. Whether you are looking for a poker site or a casino site offering a more comprehensive gambling experience, there is a virtual casino site for everyone. At most of the casino sites, you will be able to explore different game categories. Have a look at the popular games available online and take your pick.

Online Poker

The conservative state of Oklahoma does not legalize or regulate online poker. An attempt was made to legalize online poker in 2012, but it was soon disregarded. Hence, to date, there are no poker sites in the state.

However, Oklahoma residents can legally play online poker at offshore sites. One of the most popular and frequently visited online poker sites is Ignition Poker. Other poker sites available to Oklahomans include BetOnline Poker, Americas Cardroom, and Bovada Poker, to name a few.

There are numerous perks of gambling at an online poker site as compared to a land-based casino platform. One of them is the diverse range of poker games. You can find multiple variations such as Texas Hold ’em Poker, Omaha, 7 Card Stud, and Omaha Hi/Lo, to name a few.

Online Sports Betting

Just like the other gambling games, sports betting is also unregulated and unavailable to the players in Oklahoma. So, your best bet is to hop onto an offshore sportsbook site. Many popular sportsbook sites such as Bovada, BetOnline, and My Bookie are accessible to Oklahoma residents.

Better yet, these sites offer a wide range of sports to bet on. You can choose to bet on Football, hockey, baseball, ice hockey or martial arts, boxing, etc.

Online Lottery

Much like the other casino game types, the lottery was also illegal. However, the lottery was legalized in 2005. Still, an online lottery hasn’t been introduced in the state. This means that while you can play all the lottery games in person, you cannot buy a ticket online. Some of these lottery games include:

• Powerball: Launched in 1992, Powerball is a world-famous lottery game. This is mostly because this game offers prizes in millions with ticket prices as low as $2. An extra dollar can also enable the Power Play feature that increases the player’s chance of winning massive jackpots.
• Mega Millions: This is another popular draw game in the US. The draws are held twice a week and also offer millions in the jackpot.
• Lotto America: This is also a multi-state game that has the same ticket price as Powerball and Mega Millions.
• Scratch Off Games: A variety of scratch-off games are available with varying prizes.

Many other lottery games are available such as Lucky For Life, Cash 5, and Pick 3.

Online Bingo

At the time of writing this review, Oklahoma does not offer online bingo. However, it does not restrict players from enjoying online bingo at offshore regulated sites. Two of the most popular venues for online bingo are Bingo Billy and Bonus Bingo.

The online bingo sites house a great variety of games. You can opt for 30-Ball Bingo, European Bingo, Tribal Bingo, or American Bingo-the choice is yours, and the variety is endless. At these sites, you can also enjoy generous welcome bonuses and other lucrative bonuses to kickstart your gambling venture.  

Online Horse Race Betting

Despite the absence of many forms of online casino games, it is fully legal to bet online when it comes to horse racing. There is a multitude of online sites accepting bets from players in Oklahoma.

Sites like TwinSpires, XpressBets, BetAmerica, and PariBet are available to Oklahoma residents. Some of these sites also offer native mobile apps for easier access. You can also enjoy a welcome bonus and rebates to help you secure a win. Through the reward program, players can also enjoy redeemable points on every bet they make.

Online Sweepstakes

Sweepstakes are now very common and are rarely if ever, outlawed. Sweepstakes are based totally on chance, as opposed to games of skill. To be legal, sweepstakes must allow free participation. This means that players do not have to make a purchase of any product or service. Moreover, the winners are randomly selected.

Oklahoma hosts numerous sweepstakes sponsored by various brands. Usually, there are multiple winners in these contests. The prizes range from jackets and t-shirts to tickets to exotic holiday sports.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports is yet to be legalized in Oklahoma. But, it is not illegal either. Rather, the lawmakers in Oklahoma are silent when it comes to Daily Fantasy Sports. So, many popular DFS companies are operating in the state of Oklahoma and openly offering their games to the residents of OK.

• Online Daily Fantasy NBA: There is only one major league team in Oklahoma and that is competing in the NBA. As a result, Fantasy NBA is quite popular amongst the Oklahomans.
• Online Daily Fantasy MLB: Although there is no home team in the major league, Oklahoma does have a team in the minor league. This gives OK residents enough reason to play Fantasy MLB.
• Online Daily Fantasy NHL: Despite not having a home team in either the major or minor hockey league, NHL is quite popular amongst Oklahoma Fantasy players.
• Online Daily Fantasy MLS: Soccer is a popular sport, and hence, so is Fantasy MLS.
• College Fantasy Sport: The state of Oklahoma allows college fantasy sports. Currently, the college football team is drafted in the DFS.

Is It Safe to Gamble at an Oklahoma Online Casino?

If you are wondering about the safety of online gambling in Oklahoma, rest assured. Because, as we explained, there are multiple ways to legally play online slots OK. Just because Oklahoma online casino real money is not available doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to enjoy it elsewhere. So, as we explained in detail, you can enjoy almost every type of casino game online using an offshore virtual casino.

In contrast to a land-based casino, you can enjoy a much greater variety of games on a virtual platform. Multiple game providers feature their games all under a single umbrella. Some of these leading game providers include:

1. NetEnt: Being one of the oldest game providers in the industry, NetEnt has become an industry leader. This is also because NetEnt games feature excellent graphics and captivating animations. Consequently, NetEnt has won many awards. Its most popular game is the video slot game Gonzo’s Quest.
2. Pragmatic Play: Pragmatic Play is a prominent brand in the iGaming industry. Games by this provider are featured at numerous casinos. Pragmatic Play is an all-rounder as it has developed all sorts of games ranging from slots, live dealer games to gameshows. Some popular games are Megawheel and Golden Ox.
3. Microgaming: This is another popular and top-notch game provider that has developed numerous games. The extensive gaming portfolio by Microgaming is filled with a variety of casino games. You will also find a handful of live games by this provider. The widely popular progressive jackpot Mega Moolah is featured by this provider.
4. Quickspin: As compared to other leading game providers, Quickspin has a relatively limited number of games to offer. This is because Quickspin is dedicated to providing games featuring excellent quality and graphics. Being an innovative provider, Quickspin games offer unique and multiple ways to win.
5. Evolution Gaming: This one is a major game provider renowned for offering live games. The live dealer studio at Evolution Gaming offers games in HD video and audio quality. The dealers are friendly and professional. In short, Evolution Gaming promises an immersive live gaming experience.
6. International Gaming Technology (IGT): IGT has a little over 150 games to offer. These are all high-quality games. Many progressive jackpots are featured by IGT. Better yet, IGT produces games using HTML5 technology to ensure seamless mobile gambling on a variety of devices.

Gambling Age Law

Every state has different rules regarding the age for legal gambling. In Oklahoma, the legally permissible age for casino gambling is 18 years or older. Despite the fact that Oklahoma is not a gambling-friendly state, this age limit is quite flexible. However, at the casinos serving alcohol, the age factor is raised to 21 years or older. According to Oklahoma online gambling laws, the age limit is the same when gambling at an online casino site.

To ensure that the state laws are followed and underage gambling is eliminated, the online casino sites employ various security measures. One of the most frequently used measures is the Know Your Customer policy. In line with this policy, the players are required to submit specific documents to complete the verification requirements. Most casinos do not process the withdrawals unless the account verification is complete, making sure the players comply with the requirements.

Land-Based Casinos in Oklahoma 

Are you a fan of gambling at land-based casino platforms? If yes, then Oklahoma brings good news. Despite the lack of online gambling platforms, Oklahoma doesn’t disappoint when it comes to brick-and-mortar casinos.

To be precise, there are well over 100 land-based casinos in the state of Oklahoma. This is the greatest number of casinos in a single state in the US. Some of these are comprehensive platforms, while others are dedicated to providing bingo games. So, no matter your budget or preference, there is a casino for you in Oklahoma.

All these casinos are Indian or native American casinos. There is not a single commercial casino to be found in OK. For horse race betting, there are no racinos in the state. However, some of the casinos allow off-track betting. Although the list of casinos is very extensive, we have reviewed some of the notable ones. So, read ahead and take your pick.

Will Oklahoma Regulate Online Gambling In The Future?

It is quite possible. Given the fact that Oklahoma has been progressing tremendously to legalize various forms of in-person gambling, online gambling legalization becomes likely. However, the legalization of OK online gambling is not possible in the foreseeable future as there are currently no bills or legislation being proposed. Plus, we don’t see any legal efforts being made.

On the other hand, OK online casino apps for horse race betting were legalized after some efforts. This was major progress towards regulated online gambling and has birthed new hopes concerning virtual casinos.

Before the pandemic hit, the Oklahoma casinos were generating massive revenues, and the state had become reliant on these casinos to fund educational sectors and other services in the state. The state’s economy is highly supported by these casinos.

So, the conclusion is that Oklahoma is taking enough time to introduce legalized online gambling because of its massive land-based gambling industry and the revenue it generates. But still, with the rapid virtualization and the ongoing pandemic, we can have our fingers crossed to gamble online soon.