Bill Lee, the Governor of Tennessee, has approved SB 2136 and signed it into law, effectively banning online sweepstakes in the state.The Governor gave his final decision...
Oklahoma Legislature passes bill to ban sweepstakes
Oklahoma’s Legislature has passed SB 1589, which covers online casino games and dual-currency payments, in an effort to ban sweepstakes casinos.
In the House, the measure was passed by a 65-21 vote, while the Senate approved it unanimously, and the bill was sent to the Governor on May 5, 2026.
By amending the state’s current gambling laws, the bill will include online casino-style games, defining them as internet gambling that allows players to risk valuable goods on online games like slots, lottery-style products, or bingo. According to the bill, something of value includes all currencies used in dual-currency payment methods that let players exchange currency for a prize, cash, or an award.
SB 1589 states:
“Every person who opens, or causes to be opened, or who conducts…either poker, roulette, craps…or any gambling game played with dice, cards…or any device, including online casino games, for money, checks, credits…or who either as owner or employee, geolocation provider, gaming supplier, platform provider, promoter, or media affiliate…shall be guilty of a Class C2 felony offense.”
Additionally, in case of violations, fines from $500 to $2,000 can be imposed, with potential prison sentences for repeat offenses. It’s planned that the bill will come into effect on November 1, 2026, if it’s fully approved.
If passed, Oklahoma will become the fourth U.S. state in 2026 to ban sweepstakes casinos, after Indiana, Maine, and Tennessee.
On May 15, the Governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, signed SF 2289 into law, effectively reforming state gambling rules and introducing restrictions against sweepstakes casinos.
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