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Read Full BioThe Oklahoma Lottery Commission (OLC) is seeking to enhance the digital experience for lottery players, which could ultimately lead to the ability to offer online lottery (iLottery) sales.
OLC has issued a Request for Proposal, seeking vendors to provide digital services that will enhance the lottery’s loyalty program, improve ticket verification, and enhance the app. Per the Request for Proposal, the specific upgrades include:
- Website and mobile app services
- Loyalty Platform: Players Club
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform
- A foundation that allows the OLC to launch an iLottery business model if granted legislative authority in the future
- Personnel Support
- Added Value
OLC’s requirements for vendors include being able to integrate the new apps with the commission’s existing system and meet strict security and data standards.
The vendor must also “ have an active U.S. iLottery business model capable of launching within 6–12 months of OLC authorization.”
While OTC has not confirmed that it intends to launch iLottery, it’s looking to position itself to be ready in case lawmakers pass a bill to authorize it.
Legislative Changes Needed for an Oklahoma iLottery
As online casino expansion in the US has stalled in recent years, some states are turning to online lotteries for an additional source of tax revenue.
For some, implementation is relatively easy. They need a regulatory change, such as an amendment to the state’s lottery commission rules. Examples of US jurisdictions taking that path include North Carolina, Rhode Island, Washington, D.C., and most recently, Kansas.
However, for others, including Oklahoma, the process requires legislative approval. That means unless the state Legislature passes a new law or amends existing statutes, the OLC does not have the authority to offer iLottery.
That will not happen this year as the legislative session ended on May 30. The session did see one proposal, Senate Bill 164, which would have defined “online gaming” and directly authorized the purchase of lottery tickets through a computer or an app.
While the bill narrowly passed through the initial committee, it faced opposition. Some lawmakers feared it would violate exclusivity provisions of the gaming compacts with native American tribes.
At that time, lawmakers were placing a higher focus on two bills that would exclusively allow tribal sports betting. Both bills passed in the House, but ran out of time in the Senate.
OK Could Join a Growing List of States With iLottery
If online lottery eventually does come to Oklahoma, the state will join over a dozen others with some sort of online lottery purchases:
- Connecticut (draw only)
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine(draw only)
- Maryland (draw only)
- Michigan
- Kansas
- New Hampshire
- New York* (draw only)
- North Carolina
- North Dakota (draw only)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (eInstants only)
- Virginia
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
*by subscription only
Kansas was the latest state to launch online lottery sales in February. Massachusetts expects to join the list in 2026 after it pushed its original forecast from this fall.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Lottery Commission approved online sales last year, but it’s facing opposition from lawmakers.
Lottery Couriers Have Filled the iLottery Gap in Many States
Online lottery ticket purchases are available in over a dozen states, and the list is growing. Additionally, in many states without state-run online options, lottery players can purchase tickets online through licensed lottery couriers.
These couriers, including Jackpocket, Jackpot.com, Lotto.com, and theLotter, act as a middleman. The user places a lottery ticket order through their app, and the courier purchases the ticket on their behalf, sending them a confirmation.
If the ticket is a winner, the courier will automatically pay prizes of $600 or less directly through the app. For larger prizes, the courier arranges the delivery of the physical ticket. The user must then claim the prize in person.
While licensed, lottery couriers are usually unregulated, except in New Jersey and New York. As a result, Jackpocket has recently found itself at the center of a scandal in Texas that could lead to the abolishment of the Texas Lottery Commission.
Meanwhile, in Connecticut, a bill that bans lottery couriers and sweepstakes casinos awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature to become a law.
