Oklahoma lawmakers override Stitt's veto, enacting SB 1589 sweepstakes casino ban

Oklahoma became the latest state to outlaw sweepstakes casinos when the House voted 68-19 on May 14 to override Gov. Kevin Stitt's veto of Senate Bill 1589, following a 34-10 Senate override vote on May 11. The bill, carried by Sen. Todd Gollihare and Rep. Kyle Hilbert, had originally passed the Senate 48-0 and the House 65-21.

SB 1589 targets online casino-style games that rely on dual-currency systems. Violations are classified as felonies, and liability extends beyond operators to the businesses that keep the sites running, including game suppliers, payment providers, hosts, promoters and affiliates.

Stitt vetoed the measure on May 7, calling it vague and overbroad. He said the bill was "so broad that it criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun" and objected that it created a new felony and pushed liability onto businesses and service providers.

The law exempts gaming conducted on Indian lands in compliance with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, as well as activities covered by Oklahoma's Charity Games Act.

The ban takes effect Nov. 1, 2026, giving operators until then to remove redeemable currencies or leave the state.