Sweepstakes casino bans tracker
The short answer
We track 15 measures on sweepstakes casinos in 14 jurisdictions: 12 in force or enacted and 3 failed or withdrawn, as of October 13, 2026 (latest action May 22, 2026).
Every US state law that bans or restricts online sweepstakes (dual-currency) casinos, with the bill, the date it was signed, when it takes effect and the official source, plus 2026 bans that passed one chamber and then died.
Data through May 2026Updated Every row links to its source
Pending
0
Pending · Moving or awaiting action
Next date
Nov 1, 2026
Next date · Oklahoma: Law takes effect
Sweepstakes casinos: by jurisdiction
15 entries
| Jurisdiction | Measure | Status | Last action | Next | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TennesseeUS-TN | SB 2136 / Public Chapter 1117 — Illegal activity: online sweepstakes games and online/app-based gambling (sub. for HB 1885)Makes it unlawful to operate, conduct, commercially promote or support online sweepstakes games (virtual, dual or multi-currency) and other online gambling; violations are Tennessee Consumer Protection Act violations enforced by the Attorney General, who gains investigative-demand powers. It took effect on becoming law. Effective May 22, 2026. | Approved by Governor May 22, 2026 (Public Chapter 1117) | May 22, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| IowaUS-IA | SF 2289 / Acts Chapter 1092 — Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing omnibus; Racing and Gaming Commission powersNot a new criminal ban: it expressly authorizes the Racing and Gaming Commission to issue cease-and-desist orders and seek injunctive relief against anyone offering gambling, sports wagering or illegal sweepstakes in Iowa without a license or other legal authorization (Iowa Code §99F.4(13)). Effective July 1, 2026. | Signed by Governor May 15, 2026 (Acts Chapter 1092) | May 15, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| LouisianaUS-LA | HB 883 / Act 182 — Provides relative to enforcement of illegal online gambling (dual-currency games)Extends Louisiana’s gambling-by-computer offense (R.S. 14:90.3) to online games using a dual-currency system exchangeable for prizes or cash equivalents, restricts payment processors and platform providers that support such operators, and lets the Attorney General or the Gaming Control Board chairman send cease-and-desist notices. Effective August 1, 2026. | Signed by the Governor May 15, 2026 (Act 182); effective August 1, 2026 | May 15, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| OklahomaUS-OK | SB 1589 — Crimes and punishments; modifying scope of certain offense related to gamblingAmends 21 O.S. §941 to bring online casino games, including dual-currency systems, within the gambling-game offense; conducting or supporting them (operators, geolocation providers, suppliers, platforms, promoters, media affiliates) is a Class C2 felony with a $500-$2,000 fine plus imprisonment. Effective November 1, 2026. | Vetoed May 7, 2026; veto overridden by Senate (34-10) and House (68-19) May 14, 2026 | May 14, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026Law takes effect | Record ↗ |
| LouisianaUS-LA | HB 53 / Act 48 — Adds certain gambling crimes as predicate offenses for racketeering activityAdds gambling offenses, including gambling by computer and electronic sweepstakes devices, to Louisiana's racketeering statute (R.S. 15:1352(A)), exposing illegal online sweepstakes operators to racketeering liability alongside the HB 883 offense. Effective August 1, 2026. | Signed by the Governor May 11, 2026 (Act 48); effective August 1, 2026 | May 11, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| MinnesotaUS-MN | SF 4474 — Online sweepstakes games prohibitionWould have created Minn. Stat. 325F.756 banning dual-currency online sweepstakes games and barring payment processors, geolocation providers, suppliers, platforms and media affiliates from supporting them, enforced by the Commissioner of Public Safety via civil fines. | Passed Senate 62-3 April 30, 2026; referred to House Public Safety Finance and Policy May 4, 2026; no further action before adjournment | May 4, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| MaineUS-ME | LD 2007 (SP 825) / Chapter 645 — An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes GamesOperating, promoting or supporting a dual-currency online sweepstakes game that simulates casino-style gaming is a civil violation with a $10,000-$100,000 fine collected by the Gambling Control Unit, and unlawful gambling under 17-A MRSA §954; violating licensees lose their licenses. Effective July 29, 2026. | Enacted; signed by Governor April 6, 2026 (Chapter 645) | Apr 6, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| MarylandUS-MD | HB 295 — Gaming - Prohibition on Interactive Games and Revenue From Illegal MarketsDepartmental bill (Lottery and Gaming Control Agency) that would have banned operating, conducting or promoting online multi-currency 'interactive games' simulating casino gaming, lottery or sports wagering, and required gaming licensees to disclose ties to such operators. | Passed House 105-24 March 20, 2026; referred to Senate Budget and Taxation (hearing April 1); no further action before sine die | Mar 23, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| IndianaUS-IN | HB 1052 / Public Law 153-2026 — State offices and administration; civil penalties for online sweepstakes gamesDefines “sweepstakes game” (dual- or multi-currency play that simulates casino or lottery games online) and sets civil penalties for conducting one, enforced by the Indiana Gaming Commission. Part of a wider gaming bill (horse racing, voluntary exclusion). Effective July 1, 2026. | Signed by Governor March 12, 2026 (Public Law 153) | Mar 12, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| MississippiUS-MS | SB 2104 — Gaming; include online, interactive and computerized versions thereof, increase penalties, forfeitureWould have brought internet sweepstakes casinos and online versions of games under Mississippi's gambling prohibitions, raised the sweepstakes violation from a misdemeanor to a felony and allowed asset forfeiture. | Passed Senate February 4, 2026; Died in House Gaming Committee March 3, 2026 | Mar 3, 2026 | — | Record ↗ |
| New YorkUS-NY | S5935A / Chapter 605 of 2025 — Prohibiting online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal marketsProhibits operating, conducting or promoting online sweepstakes games in New York, including by applicants, licensees and investors. Fines run from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, with possible loss of or ineligibility for a gaming license; the Gaming Commission, State Police or Attorney General may investigate and issue cease-and-desist letters. Effective December 5, 2025. | Signed by Governor December 5, 2025 (Chapter 605) | Dec 5, 2025 | — | Record ↗ |
| CaliforniaUS-CA | AB 831 / Chapter 623, Statutes of 2025 — Gambling: operation of a contest or sweepstakesAmends Business and Professions Code section 17539.1 and adds Penal Code section 337o to prohibit online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency system to simulate casino-style gambling. Effective January 1, 2026. | Approved by the Governor October 11, 2025; Chapter 623, Statutes of 2025 | Oct 11, 2025 | — | Record ↗ |
| New JerseyUS-NJ | A5447 / S4282 — Prohibits sweepstakes model of wagering; establishes new penalties for unlawful gambling operationsProhibits the sweepstakes model of wagering and sets new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Effective August 15, 2025. | Signed by Governor Murphy August 15, 2025 | Aug 15, 2025 | — | Record ↗ |
| ConnecticutUS-CT | SB 1235 / Public Act 25-112 — An Act Concerning the DCP's Recommendations Regarding Lottery and Gaming RegulationSection 14 bars anyone not licensed for online casino gaming or sports wagering from conducting or promoting a sweepstakes or promotional drawing that allows real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering. Violations are CUTPA violations enforced through the Department of Consumer Protection and remain a class A misdemeanor. Effective October 1, 2025. | Signed by the Governor June 24, 2025 (Public Act 25-112) | Jun 24, 2025 | — | Record ↗ |
| MontanaUS-MT | SB 555 / Chapter 626 — Generally revise gambling laws (internet gambling definition revised to include online casinos)Redefines internet gambling to include online casinos, exempting only online casinos that do not allow the use of currency of any kind. Advertising or soliciting illegal gambling is a misdemeanor, and felony violations carry fines of up to $50,000, up to 10 years' imprisonment, or both, per violation. Effective October 1, 2025. | Signed by Governor May 13, 2025; Chapter 626 | May 13, 2025 | — | Record ↗ |
Stage bar: introduced · committee · passed one chamber · passed both · signed · in force.
Methodology
One row per bill. Each status line, date and effective date comes from the legislature, the governor or the state’s official session-law publication, linked on the row. “In force” means the effective date has passed; Oklahoma’s ban is signed (by veto override) and takes effect on November 1, 2026. Iowa’s law gives the regulator cease-and-desist and injunction powers rather than creating a new criminal ban; it is listed with that wording. States where only a regulator letter or older general gambling law applies (for example Arizona’s cease-and-desist letters) are not rows. New Jersey’s law took effect on signing (August 15, 2025), as reported consistently; its official bill text was not reachable when we checked. Indiana’s effective date is the state’s default for acts (July 1); its official digest confirms the sweepstakes civil penalties. Bills are re-checked when legislatures meet.
Download the full table as CSV. Free to reuse with a link to this page; see reusing our data.
Spotted an error? Report it. Corrections are logged on the corrections page.