Oklahoma and Louisiana lawmakers took different approaches this month on legislation targeting sweepstakes-style gaming platforms and online casino operations using dual-currency systems.
In Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 1589 after the measure passed both legislative chambers with strong support. Meanwhile, Louisiana lawmakers continued advancing two bills aimed at expanding enforcement tools against unregulated gambling activity.
Oklahoma Governor Rejects SB 1589
According to the Oklahoma Legislature’s bill tracker, SB 1589 received a veto on May 7, with the update officially posted on May 11. The proposal had already cleared the Senate by a unanimous 48-0 vote before passing the House 65-21.
The bill sought to amend Oklahoma gambling law by explicitly prohibiting online casino-style games played through mobile phones, computers and tablets. Its language covered products simulating slots, bingo and lottery games.
Lawmakers also included language targeting dual-currency sweepstakes casino systems. Under the proposal, a “representative of value” would have included virtual currencies exchanged for prizes, cash or equivalents.
The legislation extended liability beyond operators. Suppliers, payment processors, affiliates, geolocation providers, promoters and platform companies connected to prohibited gambling activity could also have faced penalties. Violations under the bill would have been treated as a Class C2 felony.
A veto message showed Stitt objected to the breadth of the proposal.
He wrote the legislation was “so broad that it criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun” and “unnecessarily creates a new felony and extends criminal liability to businesses and service providers.”
The governor added: “Oklahoma can protect consumers without adopting criminal penalties that reach beyond the problem they are intended to solve.”
Lawmakers still have an opportunity to override the veto before May 29. Oklahoma law requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers to reverse a governor’s decision. While the Senate vote exceeded that threshold, the House vote fell three votes short.
Sports Betting Effort Also Falls Short
The veto followed another setback in Oklahoma’s gambling debate after lawmakers failed to advance a separate sports betting proposal earlier this year.
House Bill 1047, which would have allowed tribal nations to operate retail and mobile sports betting, failed in the Senate on April 22 by a 21-27 vote. The proposal had support from the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association.
Opponents raised concerns over gambling addiction, while Stitt’s office reportedly criticized the tribal compact structure tied to the proposal.
Louisiana Advances Separate Enforcement Bills
While Oklahoma’s effort stalled, Louisiana lawmakers continued moving forward with two bills tied to sweepstakes enforcement.
The Louisiana Senate unanimously passed HB 883 by a 35-0 vote on May 12 after the House previously approved the measure 99-0. The bill would update the state’s gambling-by-computer statute to include online games using dual-currency systems tied to cash prizes or rewards.
Louisiana lawmakers also approved HB 53, which would amend the state’s racketeering law by adding existing gambling crimes as predicate offenses. The proposal now awaits action from Gov. Jeff Landry.
Landry previously vetoed an earlier sweepstakes casino ban last year, arguing that existing state enforcement powers were sufficient to address illegal gambling operations.
Source:
“Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Sweeps Ban Bill as Louisiana Passes Second Crackdown Measure”, gamblinginsider.com, May 13, 2026
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