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Governor Kevin Stitt has stopped Senate Bill 1589, vetoing a measure that would have expanded Oklahoma’s gambling laws to cover online sweepstakes platforms and casino‑style games.
The proposal had sailed through the Legislature with little resistance, the Senate backed it unanimously in March with a 48‑0 vote, and the House followed in early May, passing it 65‑21. Lawmakers then sent the bill to Stitt, who struck it down along with several others on May 7.
The governor has not yet explained why he chose to block the measure, leaving questions about his reasoning. Supporters of SB 1589 had argued it was needed to bring dual‑currency sweepstakes operators under state law, but with the veto, those plans are on hold.
Lawmakers have until May 29 to reverse veto
SB 1589 was written to pull sweepstakes casinos into Oklahoma’s gambling laws by targeting the dual‑currency system they use, where one coin type is for play, and another can be redeemed for prizes.
The proposal also stretched beyond casino operators, making geolocation providers, platform suppliers, promoters, and affiliates liable if they were involved.
At the same time, it spelled out exceptions for gaming on tribal lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and preserved charity games already allowed under state law.
With Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto, the measure is stalled unless lawmakers act. The Legislature has until May 29 to override his decision. If they fail to do so, Oklahoma will remain outside the group of states that have recently moved to ban sweepstakes casino models outright, leaving operators free from the restrictions the bill sought to impose.
State also misses out on sports betting
Governor Stitt’s veto was not the only setback for gambling expansion in Oklahoma this year. Just weeks earlier, the Senate rejected House Bill 1047, a proposal that would have legalized sports betting through tribal operators.
The measure, carried by Sen. Bill Coleman and Rep. Ken Luttrell of Ponca City, had the backing of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. It would have given tribes exclusive control over retail and mobile sports betting, with the state collecting 8% of the revenue. Money from NBA and WNBA wagers was earmarked for the Strong Readers Act Fund.
Despite those promises, the bill failed in the Senate on April 22 by a 21–27 vote. Opponents raised concerns about gambling addiction, while Stitt’s office resisted expanding the tribal gaming compact.
Supporters argued the plan offered a regulated alternative to betting already happening through other channels, but the defeat left Oklahoma without a path forward on sports betting.
Source: Covers
