Oklahoma’s Sweepstakes Ban Bill Advances Another Step in the House

(AsiaGameHub) –   Oklahoma legislators have advanced SB 1589, securing another unanimous vote for legislation aimed at expanding gambling statutes and more explicitly placing online sweepstakes casinos under state regulatory control.

Good to Know

• SB 1589 passed the House Criminal Judiciary Committee by a 6 to 0 vote on April 7.
• The bill already passed the Senate 48 to 0 earlier in March.
• If approved by the House and signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, the measure would take effect on Nov. 1.

Oklahoma Bill Widens The Net Around Sweepstakes Casinos

The inclusion of a class C2 felony in the Oklahoma proposal underscores the seriousness of lawmakers’ intent. Under SB 1589, delivering or marketing the online casino games it covers would result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Simultaneously, the legislation provides an exemption for tribal operators to conduct online social casinos on tribal lands. This provision was incorporated following consultations during the drafting process, as lawmakers also cited millions in lost state revenue from offshore platforms.

Following these details, the recent committee action becomes clear. The House Criminal Judiciary Committee moved SB 1589 forward with a 6 to 0 vote on April 7. The Senate had previously passed the identical bill 48 to 0 in March. Sponsored by Sen. Todd Gollihare and Rep. Scott Fetgatter, the bill now proceeds to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee.

The statutory wording is designed to extend beyond a single label or product category. SB 1589 defines an online casino game as any internet-based gambling that simulates slot machines, lottery games, bingo, or other banned games when anything of value is at stake. Therefore, the emphasis is not solely on branding but also on the game’s format and how rewards are structured.

A further crucial element of the bill targets the concept of value. The proposal seeks to revise the definition of a representative of value to include virtual currency in a dual-currency system if that currency is convertible into cash, goods, or other assets. Simply put, legislators aim to address both the casino-style game and the token economy supporting it.

This bill aligns with a wider trend among states, with six having enacted similar prohibitions since last year. Indiana and Maine are noted as the latest states to have introduced bills targeting sweepstakes casinos. Oklahoma’s legislative session continues until May 29, providing additional time for the proposal to progress.