Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has vetoed SB 1589, blocking a bill that would have expanded state gambling law to target online sweepstakes casino platforms. Louisiana took a different path, with lawmakers passing HB 883 after sending another gambling racketeering bill to the governor.
The split shows how differently states are handling sweepstakes casinos. Some states are moving quickly to treat dual-currency casino-style platforms as illegal gambling, while others are still running into political or legal resistance.
Stitt blocks Oklahoma’s SB 1589
SB 1589 had strong support before the veto. The Senate approved it 48-0 in March, and the House passed it 65-21 in early May before sending it to Stitt.
The bill would have targeted online games that simulate slots, lottery, bingo or other prohibited gambling formats. It also would have changed the definition of a “representative of value” to cover dual-currency models, where one coin type is used for play and another can be linked to prize redemption.
The proposal also reached beyond operators. Liability language covered geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters and affiliates. It excluded activity on Indian lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and preserved gaming covered by Oklahoma’s Charity Games Act.
Oklahoma still has time to override the veto
Oklahoma lawmakers have until May 29 to reverse the veto. If they do not override it, the bill dies and Oklahoma remains outside the group of states that have passed direct restrictions on sweepstakes casino models.
The veto also comes after Oklahoma’s sports betting push failed in the Senate. HB 1047 was rejected 27-21 on April 22, leaving the state with no clear path on legal sports betting or a sweepstakes ban.
Louisiana moves second bill ahead
Louisiana’s HB 883 passed the Senate on May 12 by a 35-0 vote after clearing the House 99-0 in April. The bill was enrolled and signed by the House speaker on May 13.
HB 883 would add dual-currency games that simulate gambling to the state’s gambling-by-computer law. It also allows action against platform providers and financial transaction providers that support illegal gambling by computer.
The bill is moving alongside HB 53, which has already been sent to Gov. Jeff Landry. HB 53 adds several gambling crimes, including gambling by computer and gambling by electronic sweepstakes device, as crimes that can support racketeering cases.
