Online sweepstakes gaming is now illegal in Oklahoma after a legislative override of the governor’s veto.
Key Takeaways
- Sweepstakes casinos now face criminal penalties for operating in Oklahoma.
- Gov. Kevin Stitt didn’t think the law was necessary.
- The Senate and House overwhelmingly disagreed.
Senate Bill 1589 was reversed by lawmakers on Thursday and filed with the Secretary of State.
The sweepstakes bill was easily passed by both chambers earlier this year, but Gov. Kevin Stitt opposed the legislation because of its criminal penalties on companies operating dual-currency casinos and sportsbooks.
However, the Senate blocked the governor’s decision with a vote of 34-10 before the House followed by a 68-19 vote, more than the two-thirds needed to override the veto.
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Criminal offense
The new law targets mobile games that simulate slots, lottery, bingo, and other prohibited formats under the state’s promotional contest ban if they offer both free and purchased tokens, or coins, to play.
Online casino operators, as well as suppliers, providers, geolocation providers, promoters, and affiliates, face a Class C2 felony, which comes with fines from $500 to $2,000 and up to 30 days in jail.
Oklahoma doesn’t offer legal online or retail sports betting, but there are more than a hundred in-person casinos located in the Sooner State.
More gaming legislation
Lawmakers attempted to bring sportsbooks partnered with tribal nations to Oklahoma this year, but the Senate shot down a proposed bill in April. A House bill also failed, leaving Oklahoma among just 11 states without some form of legal sports betting.
The latest law makes sure that social sportsbooks can’t operate there, either. Some sweepstakes casino operators offer sports betting that looks similar to FanDuel or DraftKings.
Closing this loophole was supported by Indian gaming leaders, honoring the pacts that authorized gambling must run through the tribes.
SB 1589 was one of more than 30 vetoed bills, including legislation that would’ve allowed gamblers to deduct a certain amount of losses from their taxes. Sooner State lawmakers overrode HB 4432 as well.
