How To Bet Sooners Football This Season In Oklahoma

We’re days away from the start of Sooners football — the premier sport in the great state of Oklahoma. Football fans are hoping for a “rebound” season.

That’s because the Sooners struggled in 2024, its first year in the SEC. They went 6-7 under head coach Brent Venables, the second time that’s happened in three years at the helm. So for better or worse, Venables is on the proverbial hot seat this year. All eyes also on quarterback John Mateer, who transferred over from Washington State. Can he help resurrect the Sooners program?

Every OU fan has an opinion. Some good, some bad, but everyone has something to say. The issue is some want to turn that opinion into a bet, but can’t inside the state. That’s because Oklahoma sports betting is STILL not a thing. The state is one of 11 in the country without any form of legalized sports betting.

So does that mean Sooners fans living inside the state are out of luck this season betting-wise? Not even close. There’s more than one way to get action in-state, and we’re listing them all for you right here! Keep reading so you don’t miss out this football season.

Option 1: Cross the Border to Bet

Oklahoma might be dragging its feet, but its neighbors aren’t all in the same boat. If you’re up north — say, near Bartlesville or Miami — your best play is hopping over into Kansas. The Sunflower State has mobile app betting so all it takes is crossing the state line for your sportsbook app to start working. Sign up, deposit, bet the Sooners, and head home to watch.

If you’re on the eastern side of the state, Arkansas is another legal option. They’ve got statewide mobile betting too, and plenty of books to choose from. Don’t go to Missouri, though, at least not til December. That’s when they will officially launch their industry — yes, ahead of Oklahoma here.

Down south, Texas is another no-go zone, but Louisiana is wide open. If you’re anywhere in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, you can hit the Louisiana border, place your bets on popular betting apps, and be back before kickoff.

The catch here is obvious: unless you live right on the border, you’re spending time and gas money to make this happen. That’s fine if you’re betting big or making a weekend of it, but for most people, it’s just not feasible. That’s why these next two options are likely better.

Option 2: Bet Offshore

The easiest solution of all? Offshore sportsbooks. Sites like Bovada, BetOnline, MyBookie, and XBet have been serving U.S. bettors for years, and Oklahoma players are no exception. They’re not regulated by any US state, but they are licensed in their home countries — places like Antigua or Costa Rica — and operate completely online.

Oklahoma doesn’t have a law banning individuals from using offshore sportsbooks so you’re not breaking any state rules by betting there. Stick to trusted names, and you’ll find they’re just as easy to use as DraftKings or FanDuel — with full odds on college football, player props, live betting, and so on.

A lot of these sites also sweeten the deal with big sign-up bonuses this time of year. We’re talking offers that go as high as $2500 in free play. Just imagine how much Sooners betting you can do for free with that type of money…

Option 3: Prediction Markets — The New Backdoor

If you haven’t heard of prediction markets yet, you’re about to. They work like a mini stock exchange for real-world outcomes. Instead of “betting” in the traditional sense, you’re buying and selling shares of events.

Because they’re overseen by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission instead of state gambling regulators, prediction markets can often operate in places where sportsbooks can’t — including Oklahoma. That legal gray area is what makes them so interesting right now. You don’t need to cross a border or sneak onto an offshore site. As long as the platform has CFTC approval, you can log in from home and start trading outcomes just like you would any other asset.

We recommend Kalshi — the leader in the United States. They launched sports contracts this year, and it’s been a huge boon to the business. The company has signaled they’re going all in on football betting so expect OU on there all season long.

Option 4: Wait on Politicians (Good Luck)

Of course, you could always wait for Oklahoma to get its act together — but history says you’ll be waiting a while.

The state has flirted with sports betting for years, but sputters each time. We’ve written ad nauseam about this, but the problem is Governor Kevin Stitt and local Native American tribes (who run the state’s casino) hate each other’s guts. This is a blood feud that won’t be solved until Stitt leaves office at the end of 2026.

So yeah — if you want to bet the Sooners this season, your options are clear. Drive across the border, go offshore, or try out a prediction market. Thankfully, each can work quite effectively.