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On the second-to-last day of the legislative session, the Oklahoma Legislature voted to override Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of SB 1589, a bill that criminalizes sweepstakes gambling in the state.
The law goes into effect Nov. 1, making Oklahoma the seventh state to ban sweepstakes casinos.
It was a resounding victory for Oklahoma lawmakers. The override cleared the Senate with a 34-10 vote and by a 68-19 margin in the House, LSR reported, easily surpassing the required two-thirds majority.
Stitt calls measure an ‘overboard approach’
The override was a marquee loss for Stitt, who called sweepstakes a “fun” activity when touting his veto. He said the legislation went too far.
“Oklahoma’s gaming laws must be clear, targeted, and fair. Senate Bill 1589 does not accomplish that end. This bill is so broad that it criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun. It also unnecessarily creates a new felony and extends criminal liability to businesses and service providers.
“That kind of vague and overbroad approach creates uncertainty for businesses operating in good faith and discourages innovation and investment in our state. Oklahoma can protect consumers without adopting criminal penalties that reach beyond the problem they are intended to solve.”
New law also targets affiliate businesses
Operators themselves aren’t the only ones that could find themselves running afoul of SB 1589.
The legislation also targets suppliers, such as companies that offer geolocation or payment services to sweepstakes operators. Violations would make them eligible for fines of up to $2,000 as well as Class C2 felony charges.
Six other states have enacted similar bans: California, Connecticut, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.
