Oklahoma Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto on Sweepstakes Casino Bill

Lawmakers in Oklahoma voted to override an earlier veto of Gov. Kevin Stitt of Senate Bill 1589, formally putting into effect a ban on “online casino games,” including sweepstakes casinos.

Senate Overrides Governor’s Veto on SB1589

While SB 1589 is aimed at various aspects of gambling, sweepstakes casinos take center stage. These are platforms that use dual-currency systems to offer casino-style games under the guise of promotional contests. On the morning of May 14, the Senate voted 34–10 to override the governor’s objections, followed shortly by a 68–19 vote in the House.

Governor Stitt vetoed the bill last week, saying it “criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun.” In addition, he criticized the bills’ “overbroad approach,” which, according to him, created uncertainty for businesses operating in good faith and discouraged innovation and investment in the state.

However, the legislature strongly rejected that position, with supporters arguing the bill was essential to safeguard Oklahoma’s existing gaming system and uphold commitments to tribal gaming partners. The bill aims to further control sweepstakes and other similar forms of gambling that use a dual-currency system. Oklahoma law now explicitly classifies these operations as unauthorized gambling activities, eliminating previously existing definitional loopholes that allowed them to operate.

Why Does This Matter?

Critics of sweepstakes gaming platforms have long argued that these operators take advantage of legal ambiguities to avoid state taxes and bypass consumer protection rules.

However, the overriding of the veto represents a notable victory for tribal nations and established gaming stakeholders. They have consistently maintained that sweepstakes platforms operate in a regulatory grey zone that distorts competition and weakens the safeguards embedded in Oklahoma’s gaming compacts.

With the Secretary of State now moving the legislation into implementation, enforcement is expected to begin shortly. The Oklahoma Gaming Compliance Unit is expected to work to identify and shut down active sweepstakes operations across the state.

The issue around the status of sweepstakes casinos, and who and how should regulate them, has been vehemently discussed in other states a lot through 2026 so far. In accepting SB1589, Oklahoma actually follows other states that are further expanding their control over sweepstakes. For example, back in March, Gov. Mike Braun of Indiana signed House Bill 1052 into law, which effectively banned any games that are based on the dual-currency model in the state.