The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission has rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt’s request to pass a resolution preventing tracks from offering gaming machines or participating in tribal fund revenue sharing without his authorization.
Founded in 1983, the OHRC is responsible for regulating horse racing and the gaming industry in the state. The commission meets regularly to discuss and implement regulations, approve racing schedules and address any issues within the industry.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond advised the OHRC not to adopt the governor’s resolution, which would start on Jan. 1, 2035. Drummond argued that it would not be enforceable in 2035 if it had been approved in 2024.
“The recommendation of this office is that it is unenforceable, illegal and would be wrongheaded for this commission to endorse that,” Drummond said.
The commission, made up of nine members appointed by Stitt, voted no on the resolution. Members include Chairman Keith Sanders, Vice Chairman Daniel Pilcher and Secretary Bennett Anderson.
This is not the first time that Drummond has criticized Stitt, after accusing him of failing to follow state law last summer.
“The four tribal gaming compacts you signed were invalid from the start because you did not have the approval or authorization from the Oklahoma Legislature to enter the gaming compacts,” Drummond said.
