The lawmakers behind the push to legalise sports betting in Oklahoma say they will move forward with new legislation after reaching an agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a number of tribal nations, and the state’s leading public universities.

Ponca City Republicans Sen. Bill Coleman and Rep. Ken Luttrell announced the agreement on Tuesday, April 21, after amending House Bill 1047 to reflect the terms of the agreement. Coleman said he expects the full Senate will vote on the measure within days.

The agreement is far from a done deal. The bill could still face opposition in either chamber, and the governor could ultimately veto it if it reaches his desk. A statement issued by a spokesperson for Gov. Kevin Stitt indicated that’s what would happen.

Tevis Hillis said Stitt isn’t interested in expanding the current state-tribal gaming compact, as Coleman and Luttrell are trying to do by adding sports betting. Hillis described it as a “bad gaming compact that lacks transparency and fair market rates.”

The development is the latest in years of disagreements between tribal leaders and Stitt, who has complained about not being included in conversations about legalizing sports betting. Coleman and Luttrell have countered that the stalemate is leaving Oklahoma behind as neighboring states rapidly adopt and expand their sports betting markets.

Matthew Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association, has contended that failing to include tribal governments in legalized sports betting would breach established gaming compacts between the state and tribal nations.

Lawmakers said all sides would benefit from their newly proposed deal, which is backed by the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. The bill would allow the tribes to retain the exclusive right to offer gaming in the state, and part of the revenues would be allocated to a fund that awards grants to the Thunder.If the bill passes the Senate, it will return to the House for further consideration before it’s sent to the governor’s desk.