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Published on: May 13, 2026, 05:20h.
Updated on: May 13, 2026, 05:20h.
- A proposal to prohibit sweepstakes casinos in Oklahoma has been rejected
- Governor Kevin Stitt deemed the bill’s wording overly broad and ambiguous
Another victory for sweepstakes casinos has been recorded.
Unregulated online casino platforms and applications will continue to operate in Oklahoma following Governor Kevin Stitt’s (R) veto of Senate Bill 1589. The Oklahoma State Legislature’s website indicates that the governor vetoed the bill on May 7.
Introduced by Oklahoma lawmakers Sen. Todd Gollihare (R) and House Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert (R), SB1589 aimed to criminalize websites that offer social casino games utilizing a dual-currency model. This system allows players to buy a secondary digital currency, often referred to as sweeps coins, which can be exchanged for cashable credits.
The proposed legislation would have categorized the operation of such online gaming services in Oklahoma as a Class 2 felony. However, it included exemptions for gaming activities sanctioned by the Oklahoma Charity Games Act or activities compliant with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Insights from Stitt
Governor Stitt expressed concerns that SB1589 was overly punitive and that it threatened the online gaming sector and its developers with severe felony charges.
As one of the more conservative governors, recognized by the Republican Party for effective budget management and advocating personal freedom, Stitt emphasizes that consumer protection from illegal gambling can be maintained without endangering other forms of online engagement like social gaming and marketing tools.
SB1589 defined online casino games as “any gambling game” involving a “representative of value,” which was seen as “any and all currency used in a dual-currency payment system that allows for the exchange of such currency for prizes, cash, or equivalent value.”
Stitt raised questions regarding the vagueness of the “representative of value” definition, suggesting that it might restrict an online retailer’s ability to offer promotions, like a discount wheel.
The governor concluded that the legislation would introduce uncertainty.
Chances of a Veto Override
SB1589 received considerable backing in the Oklahoma Legislature, passing the Senate unanimously, 48-0, on March 2, and the House on May 4 with a 65-31 vote.
To successfully override a governor’s veto in Oklahoma, a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers is required. In the Senate, this means 32 votes, and in the House, 67 votes (assuming all 101 members participate).
Wins for Sweepstakes Casinos
As noted by Casino.org, the 2026 legislative sessions have proven to be largely advantageous for the sweepstakes industry.
Only Indiana, Maine, and Tennessee have enacted laws explicitly banning dual-currency online gaming platforms this year, though several other states have issued cease and desist orders through their attorneys general and/or state gaming regulators.
In 2025, six states including California, Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York established regulations against online sweepstakes.
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