Oklahoma Overrides Stitt Again, Enacts Sweepstakes Casino Ban

Oklahoma’s legislature has made a habit of overriding governor Kevin Stitt in recent years. It’s happened again, and it means a new sweepstakes casino ban across the Sooner State.

Stitt vetoed Senate Bill 1589, but the Oklahoma legislature had just enough votes to override him and enact a statewide ban on social casinos. The veto override passed the state Senate by a 34-10 margin and the state House by a 68-19 margin. The House margin left no room to spare, just barely clearing the two-thirds requirement to override the veto.

The override closes the state’s 2026 legislative session, which saw Oklahoma also attempt and fail to legalize sports betting. Stitt ended up vetoing 34 different bills, nowhere near the record 69 he vetoed in 2025.

But Oklahoma legislators showed they weren’t afraid to override Stitt, doing so 47 times in 2025. That suggested this fight was always a possibility, especially given the relationships between the Oklahoma government and the state’s Native American tribes.

What Does the New Sweepstakes Casino Ban Entail?

Under SB 1589, anyone operating or promoting a sweepstakes casino is subject to penalties. The ban enacts a minimum fine of $500 and is classified as a Class C2 felony in the state.

Notably, the sweepstakes casino ban only applies to the sweepstakes coins aspects of a social casino. If an operator wants to allow play with Gold Coins, which are strictly for fun, SB 1589 will permit their operations.

The ban makes Oklahoma the third state to officially make sweepstakes casinos illegal in 2026. Indiana and Maine passed similar legislation earlier this year.

Why Did Stitt Veto the Legislation?

In his veto, Stitt claimed that the legislation would discourage legitimate businesses from investing in Oklahoma.

“This bill is so broad that it criminalizes everyday apps people use for fun,” Stitt wrote. “It also unnecessarily creates a new felony and extends criminal liability to businesses and service providers.”

Speculation exists that Stitt’s veto stemmed from his poor relationship with Oklahoma’s tribes. Gambling is legal in Oklahoma, but only at brick-and-mortar casinos on tribal lands. The tribes have suggested that sweepstakes casinos cut into their revenue, and they provide no tax revenue to the state.

That put the Oklahoma legislature on the side of the tribes. Historically, both chambers of Oklahoma’s legislature have worked with the tribes to reach a solution. When the state considered legal sports betting, the state senate had a framework involving both the tribes and the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

Most governors have taken a similar position on sweepstakes casinos. Stitt’s explanation didn’t go into further detail, leaving it unclear if his veto had more to do with supporting sweepstakes casinos or opposing the tribes’ position.

When Does the Sweepstakes Casino Ban Go Into Effect?

Sweepstakes casinos in Oklahoma have until Nov. 1 to cease operations in the Sooner State. They can continue operating if they only offer Gold Coin play, but most will likely remove themselves from the market entirely. Customers will likely have until Nov. 1 to withdraw any sweepstakes coin winnings.

It’s the latest blow to sweepstakes casinos, which are now prohibited in 18 states. The push to ban them began last year, and it has continued to pick up steam, both in states that permit and prohibit legal gambling.

What’s The Future of Gambling in Oklahoma?

With Stitt term-limited and a sweepstakes casino ban in place, Oklahoma’s prospects for legal gambling in 2027 look promising. Attorney general Gentner Drummond is favored to replace Stitt as governor in January, and he’s taken a stand against prediction markets.

More importantly, Drummond has a good relationship with the state’s tribes. With Oklahoma’s legislature refusing to cut them out, working with the tribes is a must if online sports betting is to come to the Sooner State.