Oklahoma Passes Sweepstakes Casino Ban as Veto Overturned
Oklahoma has banned sweepstakes casinos, following a topsy-turvy will-they-won’t-they tussle in the state legislature.
The ban on dual-currency sweeps casinos comes into effect on Nov. 1. However, operators were left wondering until this week whether they had a reprieve in Oklahoma.
At a Glance:
- Sweepstakes casino ban introduced at second time of asking
- Gov. Kevin Stitt had vetoed the ban in early May
- Stitt had argued against criminalizing “fun” apps
- Veto overruled with weeks to go until the deadline
Oklahoma ban was off, then it wasn’t, then it was
Oklahoma banned sweepstakes casinos at the beginning of May. Gov. Kevin Stitt had three options: veto the ban, do nothing, or let it pass.
Ultimately, the governor vetoed the ban.
However, with wide support for bill SB 1589, the Oklahoma Legislature had other ideas.
A vote in the House came out 68-19 in favor of a sweepstakes casino ban. A similar vote in the Senate went 34-10 for an outright ban.
Fines laid out for sweepstakes violations
Sweepstakes casino promoters (though not operators themselves) violating the law could face one or all of the following:
- Fine of $500-$2,000
- Prison sentence of up to 30 days
- Operating sweepstakes casinos treated as a Class C2 felony
The bill was originally passed back in March, with a 65-21 vote in favor in the Senate. The governor had cited criminalizing “everyday apps” among the reasons for not banning sweeps casinos.
However, the Senate obviously didn’t agree with that assessment of sweepstakes casinos and overrode the veto anyway.
Oklahoma joins 5 states to ban sweeps casinos in 2026
Sweepstakes casinos in Oklahoma will become a thing of the past from the first of November. In passing the ban, Oklahoma becomes the sixth state this year to prohibit sweeps casinos.
Several states have moved swiftly to prohibit dual-currency sweeps in 2026, including Maine, New York, and New Jersey.
Gov. Janet Mills was quick out of the blocks last month in Maine. The Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games will see fines of up to $100,000 imposed on operators.
How the sweepstakes casino argument keeps raging
Sweepstakes casino sites operate a different prize model than online casinos or real-money sites.
They use a “dual-currency” model for players. Instead of depositing USD, you purchase Gold Coins to use on slots and table games. These have no monetary value, and you can’t win any real money.
So far, that “social casino” model has been enough to evade the wrath of state regulators. However, many sweepstakes casinos also offer Sweeps Coins, which you qualify for by depositing or completing challenges. You can use Sweeps Coins to win credits or gift cards, which are redeemed for real money.
States with established online casino industries, such as New Jersey, are crying “foul” and imposing their own gambling laws. Expect similar loopholes to be closed throughout the rest of 2026.
