Oklahoma considers plan to launch digital lottery platform

The Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) has taken preliminary steps toward the potential rollout of an online lottery platform. While the Commission cannot currently launch iLottery sales without new legislation, a recently issued Request for Proposal (RFP) lays the groundwork for future expansion, subject to approval by the state Legislature.

The RFP outlines plans to modernize OLC’s digital experience, including upgrades to its website and mobile app, enhancements to its Players Club loyalty program, and integration of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. The proposal also includes specifications for building a digital infrastructure that could support iLottery operations within 6 to 12 months of legislative authorization.

Although the Commission has not confirmed it intends to launch online lottery sales, the move is being interpreted as an effort to prepare in case lawmakers revisit the issue.

A proposal to legalize online lottery sales, Senate Bill 164, was introduced during the most recent legislative session but failed to gain traction before the session concluded on May 30. The bill encountered resistance amid concerns it could infringe on exclusivity agreements with Native American tribes.

Wiley Harwell, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Association of Problem Gambling and Gaming, said that any expansion into online lottery should be accompanied by robust safeguards for players, particularly in a state where more than 6% of residents are estimated to have a gambling disorder, and one in four are considered at risk.

While Harwell noted that traditional lottery play alone is not commonly associated with high addiction rates, he cautioned that placing the lottery online could increase accessibility and the potential for overuse. “If you put it online and make it that much more accessible, then the tendency to continue to bet is there,” he said.

Harwell is advocating for the inclusion of in-app features such as regular pop-up messages directing users to support services, including the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline and the Evive App, which offers resources to manage gambling behavior.

Oklahoma could join a growing list of states offering some form of iLottery, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Virginia. Kansas, the most recent addition, launched its program in February, while Massachusetts plans to follow in 2026. Some jurisdictions only offer online sales for draw games, while others include scratch tickets and eInstants.

In the absence of state-run online lottery systems, players in several states use third-party lottery couriers like Jackpocket and Jackpot.com. While these services are licensed, they often operate with limited regulatory oversight, except in states like New Jersey and New York.

Recent controversies, including an ongoing probe involving Jackpocket in Texas, have renewed calls for clearer standards and increased transparency in the sector.