Oklahoma has written its gambling laws with the view of protecting its citizens from illicit gambling and organized crime. With heavier penalties for those who offer unlicensed gambling to those who get caught playing the game, the statutes do what they can to avoid loss and devastation as much as possible.

Licenses are required to manufacture, distribute, operate and manage every type of gambling device and, since it is possible to play most casino games within the state, it is up to each individual to ensure that these games are only played at licensed establishments.
Whether you are tempted to start a poker room at your bar or operate a slot machine at your community hall, make sure you have the necessary approvals in place to avoid finding yourself on the wrong side of the law.

In accordance with the Oklahoma State Statutes:

21- 941 - Opening, conducting or carrying on gambling game - Dealing for those engaged in-game.

Except as provided in the Oklahoma Charity Games Act, every person who opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts, whether for hire or not, or carries on either poker, roulette, craps or any banking or percentage, or any gambling game played with dice, cards or any device, for money, checks, credits, or any representatives of value, or who either as owner or employee, whether for hire or not, deals for those engaged in any such game, shall be guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), and by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for a term of not less than one (1) year nor more than ten (10) years.
21-942 - Gambling-Playing-Penalty

Any person who bets or plays at any of said prohibited games, or who shall bet or play at any games whatsoever, for money, property, checks, credits or other representatives of value with cards, dice or any other device which may be adapted to or used in playing any game of chance or in which chance is a material element, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not less than one (1) day, nor more than thirty (30) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The cost of the gambling license required by the state greatly depends on whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, charity, manager or employee. Distributors have the largest annual license fee and are required to pay $5,000 per year. Manufactures need to pay $2,000, charities pay $100 managers $50 and employees $15.

Completing the necessary paperwork to get the license to start with is extensive and time-consuming. With your personal information scrutinized to federal level where necessary, your application for a gambling license will require the disclosure of your personal, government connections including those of family members, financial, residential and criminal histories.

While the application process in most states runs through the Attorney General’s office, Native American tribes control vendor licensing in Oklahoma. As such, your application needs to be channelled via your tribe where more detailed information will be made available to you.

For charity gambling, your application to run bingo and other break open ticket games is issued by the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission with an application fee of $100 and an annual renewal fee of the same amount.

The maximum prize for bingo games is $6,000 and it is recommended that the charity organization keeps a record of prizes donated, and their value, the number of participants and proof of the amount donated to the charity organization that the event or raffle was held on behalf of.

As all license applications require detailed investigation into personal history, source of funds as well as 2 years of continuous existence immediately preceding licensure, it is recommended that applications are completed and submitted well in advance to avoid any obstacles to fund-raising initiatives.

Social gambling like home poker games don’t require a license as long as the organizer of the game doesn’t profit from the event, however, with so many licensed establishments offering poker tournaments, it is recommended that individuals make use of the services offered where possible.

State governments will always have strict policies and procedures in place for the protection of both individuals and businesses. While gambling is a great American pastime, it is not without risk and any measures put in place to minimize loss is there for good reason.