Oklahoma bill to ban sweepstakes casinos heads to governor
The proposal passed the House in a 65-21 vote.
US.- The Oklahoma Legislature has approved Senate Bill 1589, a proposal that would prohibit online sweepstakes‑style casinos. Authored by Senator Gollihare, the measure passed the House in a 65-21 vote after being unanimously approved in the Senate in March. The bill will now be sent to Governor Kevin Stitt’s.
The proposal broadens the definition of gambling in Oklahoma to include “online casino games” accessed through computers, mobile phones or tablets. The bill also amends the definition of a “representative of value” to contemplate dual-currency systems that can be exchanged for cash, prizes or a cash equivalent.
Under the bill, anyone who opens, conducts, or supports such games, whether as an operator, employee, geolocation provider, platform supplier, promoter, or media affiliate, would be guilty of a Class C2 felony. Fines would range from $500 to $2,000.
Oklahoma Senate rejects sports betting bill
In April, the Oklahoma Senate rejected House Bill 1047, a proposal to legalise sports betting in the state. Lawmakers voted down the proposal by a 27-21 margin.
HB 1047, authored by Representative Ken Luttrell and Senator Bill Coleman, proposed to give tribes the right to implement in-person and online sports betting as a supplement to the State-Tribal Gaming Act of 2004, which gives the tribes exclusive authority over gaming. The legislation had been approved in the House of Representatives.
