For years, sweepstakes casinos operated in nearly every state on the argument that their free-entry model is a promotional sweepstakes, not gambling. Since 2025, states have been closing that door quickly. As of October 2026, we count 13 jurisdictions with bans and 8 more under active enforcement.
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States that ban sweepstakes casinos
| State | What happened |
|---|---|
| California | AB 831 signed by Gov. Newsom Oct 11, 2025; effective Jan 1, 2026. Bans dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos; misdemeanor up to $25,000 fine and/or 1 year jail; reaches payment processors, geolocation providers and affiliates (affiliates promoting to CA players are exposed). |
| Connecticut | SB 1235 (Public Act 25-112) signed by Gov. Lamont June 2025; effective Oct 1, 2025. Operating/promoting a sweepstakes casino is a Class D felony. |
| Idaho | No dedicated sweepstakes statute; Idaho's constitution and gambling laws prohibit the activity and essentially all major brands have long excluded ID (enforcement under existing law). |
| Indiana | HB 1052 signed by Gov. Braun Mar 13, 2026; effective July 1, 2026. Bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos; Indiana Gaming Commission civil penalties up to $100,000. Peer-to-peer skill poker excluded. |
| Louisiana | HB 883 (redefines illegal 'gambling by computer' to cover dual-currency games; fines up to $100,000) and HB 53 (adds gambling to racketeering statute) signed by Gov. Landry in May 2026; effective Aug 1, 2026. Earlier AG opinion and cease-and-desists (2025) had already pushed 40+ brands out. |
| Maine | LD 2007 ('An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games') signed by Gov. Mills Apr 6, 2026; effective ~July 14, 2026 (90 days after adjournment). Civil penalties $10,000-$100,000. |
| Montana | SB 555 signed by Gov. Gianforte May 23, 2025; effective Oct 1, 2025. First state to ban; felony, fines up to $50,000. |
| Nevada | SB 256 (signed by Gov. Lombardo, June 2025; effective Oct 1, 2025) strengthens penalties against unlicensed online gambling operators incl. sweepstakes casinos (fines above $50,000, disgorgement); not a sweeps-only statute, but brands exit/exclude NV. |
| New Jersey | A5447 signed by Gov. Murphy Aug 15, 2025, effective immediately. Bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos; DCA and DGE enforcement; up to $25,000 per violation (also bans proxy sports betting). |
| New York | S5935A (Chapter 605 of 2025) signed by Gov. Hochul Dec 8, 2025; effective immediately. Fines $10,000-$100,000 per violation; extends to payment processors, geolocation/content suppliers and media affiliates. |
| Oklahoma | BAN TAKES EFFECT NOV 1, 2026 (sweeps still technically legal until then). SB 1589 enacted when the Legislature overrode Gov. Stitt's May 7, 2026 veto (Senate 34-10, House 68-19); ban takes effect Nov 1, 2026 (Class C2 felony; covers operators, affiliates, payment processors, geolocation providers). Brands are winding down OK play ahead of the deadline. |
| Tennessee | SB 2136 / HB 1885 signed by Gov. Lee May 22, 2026, effective immediately (no wind-down). Bans virtual/dual/multi-currency games simulating casino, lottery, bingo, sports wagering; amends Consumer Protection Act. |
| Washington | No dedicated sweeps statute, but the Washington State Gambling Commission states the dual-currency model is not authorized under the Gambling Act; online gambling is a Class C felony (RCW 9.46.240). All major brands exclude WA. |
States enforcing without a ban
These states have not passed a dedicated ban, but regulators or attorneys general have taken formal action (cease-and-desist orders, subpoenas, or lawsuits), and most major brands exclude them.
| State | What happened |
|---|---|
| Arizona | No dedicated sweepstakes statute. Arizona Department of Gaming issued cease-and-desist orders to sweepstakes operators beginning Aug 2025 (e.g., Pulsz, Fliff, Thrillzz, Stake.us) and more in July 2026; many major brands exclude AZ. |
| Delaware | No dedicated sweepstakes statute. Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement treats sweepstakes casinos as illegal under the state constitution, penal code and Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012; cease-and-desists to VGW (Feb 2023, Apr 2025) and RealPlay Tech (RealPrize/LoneStar exited Aug 2026). Most major brands exclude DE. |
| Illinois | No statutory ban (SB 1705 not passed). Illinois Gaming Board, with the AG, issued 65 cease-and-desist orders to sweepstakes operators on Feb 5, 2026 (incl. VGW, McLuck, Stake.us); only a few complied (e.g., WOW Vegas ended SC play in IL). |
| Kentucky | No dedicated sweepstakes-casino statute found. AG Russell Coleman sued VGW (Chumba, LuckyLand, Global Poker) in Franklin Circuit Court on June 17, 2026; some brands exclude KY. |
| Maryland | No statutory ban: HB 295 (2026) passed the House 105-24 but died in the Senate; SB 860 (2025) also failed. Maryland Lottery and Gaming issued cease-and-desist letters (Jan 2025) and 20+ brands (e.g., WOW Vegas, Modo) exited. |
| Michigan | No dedicated sweepstakes statute. Michigan Gaming Control Board sent cease-and-desists (2023) to Stake.us, VGW and others, who exited; most major brands exclude MI. |
| Utah | No sweepstakes-specific statute found; Utah constitution bans all gambling and several brands exclude UT. |
| West Virginia | No dedicated sweepstakes statute. WV Attorney General issued ~47 subpoenas to sweepstakes operators in 2025; 20+ platforms (e.g., McLuck, Modo) stopped SC play in WV. |
Where sweepstakes casinos are still available
30 states have no ban or significant enforcement: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Individual brands still set their own excluded-state lists, and pending bills (Pennsylvania HB 2801, for example) could change the picture. Each casino's review lists exactly where it accepts players.
Why this matters for players
- Accounts can close with little notice. When a ban takes effect, casinos stop accepting players from that state, usually with a deadline to redeem your Sweeps Coins. Redeem early if your state has a pending bill.
- Offshore sites are not an alternative. Unlicensed offshore casinos that accept players from banned states offer no regulator to turn to if they refuse to pay.
- Promoters are covered too. Several new laws (including California's AB 831, New York's, and Oklahoma's) reach marketing affiliates, so reputable review sites hide sweepstakes offers in those states. We do the same.
Laws here change quarterly. Each state page lists the bill numbers and the sources we checked, so you can verify the status yourself.