Oklahoma Gambling Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016

It doesn’t matter if you’re heading out to the Choctaw Casino for blackjack, or hosting some buddies for poker night. Whether you’re playing the ponies at Remington Park, or throwing $20 into your office March Madness pool hoping OU makes the Sweet Sixteen, gambling and gaming statutes cover a variety of activities in the Sooner State. Here is a quick introduction to gambling laws in Oklahoma.

Gaming Law in Oklahoma

Although some states have begun to relax their gambling statutes, permitting limited casinos and other gaming venues like card rooms, certain types of gaming and gambling remain illegal under state gaming statutes. Oklahoma’s gambling laws allow betting on horse racing and some full-fledged casinos under the Tribal-State Compact. Charitable games, bingo, and raffle prizes are also allowed.

Oklahoma Gambling Statutes

The following table lists the specifics of Oklahoma’s gambling statutes.

Code Section	Oklahoma Statutes Title 21 §941 et seq.: Gambling; Oklahoma Statutes Title 3A §200 et seq.: Horse Racing Act
Gambling	Betting or bargaining that, dependent upon chance, one stands to lose or win something of value specified in an agreement between parties.
Horse Racing/Off-Track Betting	Licensed horse racing; pari-mutuel, off-track, interstate wagering legal.
Dog Racing/Off-Track Betting	--
Casinos Allowed?	Tribal-State Compact governs casino gambling.
Other Kinds of Gambling-Related Activities Allowed or Banned	Bona fide business contracts; any charity game conducted pursuant to Oklahoma Charity Games Act; prizes offered to participants of public events such as rodeos, fairs, and athletic events legal. Pyramid schemes; dice games; three-card monte illegal.

A state’s gambling and gaming laws cover everything from horse racing and Indian casinos to state lotteries and election wagers. State gaming statutes also set forth the government divisions or gaming commissions that regulate industry practices, such as licensing employees, game parameters, and finances. Additionally, states have created zoning ordinances that separate racetracks and casinos from schools and residential areas. Federal law also regulates gambling in the state, as all gaming establishments on Indian reservations must adhere to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Nearly every one of Oklahoma’s casinos are Native American-operated.