Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt Vetoes Bill Expanding Online Gambling

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has vetoed Senate Bill 1589, halting a proposal that sought to significantly broaden the state’s gambling laws to include online casino-style games and dual-currency sweepstakes platforms.

Governor Vetoes Bill

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Todd Gollihare and Rep. Scott Fetgatter, was introduced in the Senate in February. It passed the Senate unanimously, 48-0, in March and was then referred to the House Criminal Judiciary Committee. In early May, the House approved the measure 65-21 before sending it to Governor Stitt, who vetoed it on May 7 along with several other bills. The governor has not yet explained his veto.

Interestingly, the veto followed the Oklahoma Senate’s earlier rejection of a separate proposal, House Bill 1047, that would have legalized sports betting through tribal operators. Sponsored by Sen. Bill Coleman and Rep. Ken Luttrell, both Republicans from Ponca City, the legislation was also backed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. 

It would have permitted tribal nations to provide both retail and mobile sports betting under Oklahoma’s tribal gaming framework. Supporters described the bill as a regulated alternative to sports betting options already accessible through other channels. Despite that, on April 22, it failed by a 21-27 vote. 

What Did the Bill Aim At?

Back to Senate Bill 1589, it targeted online games that mimic slots, lottery, bingo, or other forms of gambling currently prohibited in the state. It also revised the definition of a “representative of value” to encompass the dual-currency system used by sweepstakes casinos, where one type of coin is primarily used for gameplay, and another can be linked to prize redemption.

The bill also extended beyond casino operators as its liability provisions applied to owners of geolocation services, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and affiliates. Activities conducted on Indian lands in compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act were exempt, and gaming under Oklahoma’s Charity Games Act remained protected.

State lawmakers now have until May 29 to override Governor Stitt’s veto. If no override occurs, Oklahoma will remain outside the growing number of states that have recently moved to ban sweepstakes casino models entirely.

In other news from Oklahoma, a few weeks ago, a man was shot dead by police at a casino in Thackerville, after he had allegedly pulled a gun when he was approached by officers.