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Which states have banned sweepstakes casinos?
Our state research found ten states with a law aimed at them. The details come from law firm summaries and reports, so read each state page for the date we checked it.
| State | Law | In effect | Reported penalty or reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | AB 831 | January 1, 2026 | Up to one year in jail and $25,000 per violation. Reaches those who knowingly support these games |
| Connecticut | SB 1235 (Public Act 25-112) | October 1, 2025 | See the state page |
| Indiana | HB 1052 | July 1, 2026 | Civil penalties of up to $100,000 for knowingly conducting a game |
| Louisiana | HB 883 (Act 182) | August 1, 2026 | Up to $100,000 and five years in prison. Covers suppliers, promoters and media affiliates |
| Maine | LD 2007 | July 2026 | Fines of $10,000 to $100,000 for operating, promoting or supporting |
| Montana | SB 555 | October 1, 2025 | Reports differ on how far it reaches |
| New Jersey | A5447 (P.L. 2025, Chapter 128) | Approved August 15, 2025 | Running an online gambling resort is a third-degree crime, with a fine of $50,000 to $100,000 |
| New York | S5935A | December 2025 | State agencies can investigate and issue cease-and-desist orders |
| Oklahoma | SB 1589 | November 1, 2026 | Felony. Fines from $500 to $2,000, and jail is possible. Reaches promoters and media affiliates |
| Tennessee | HB 1885 / SB 2136 | Signed May 22, 2026 | Civil penalties under consumer protection law. Covers promoting or supporting |
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in states without a ban?
Not necessarily. Having no law that names them is different from approval. Sweepstakes law generally asks whether a promotion combines a prize, chance and payment, and the law firm Sheppard Mullin says courts have found illegal gambling even where a free entry route existed. Our research found 23 jurisdictions with no specific law, and we do not call the sites legal in any of them.
What are other states doing about sweepstakes casinos?
Several act through existing law or regulators. Our research marks 18 states this way, and three recent examples show the range:
- Florida: the Attorney General announced lawsuits on August 19, 2026 against Stake and VGW, also naming payment firms, seeking to stop them operating in the state. These are allegations, not findings.
- Iowa: SF 2289, signed May 15, 2026, makes sweepstakes unlawful unless licensed or authorized, and lets the state commission act against those offering them.
- Washington, DC: a bill introduced on April 9, 2026 would legalize online casino games and ban sweepstakes casinos. It was still under review in mid-2026.
Do these laws target players or operators?
The laws summarized above mainly target those who run or support the games. Some reach further than the operator: Louisiana and Oklahoma name promoters and media affiliates, and Maine and Tennessee cover promoting or supporting. We cannot say what any law means for you as a player, so check your state page and ask a lawyer licensed in your state if you need an answer.
What happens to your coins if your state bans sweepstakes casinos?
The operator's terms decide, and timelines can be short. Trade site Sweepsy reported on June 3, 2026 that one operator stopped new accounts on May 17, stopped coin sales on June 1, allowed redemptions until June 14 and ended account access on June 21, ahead of the Indiana and Maine laws. If your state is moving, read the operator's notices and redeem any eligible balance early.
What are the rules in your state?
Each state sets its own online casino rules. Pick a state to see its status, its regulator and the date we last checked it.
Read next: Social casinos
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Regulator rules were read through the sources listed, and they can change. How we research.
- InfoLawGroup: sweepstakes casino laws in 2026 (July 27, 2026)
- ZwillGen: analysis of California AB 831 (October 14, 2025)
- Sheppard Mullin: the social casino sweepstakes model is under fire (March 7, 2025)
- Klein Moynihan Turco: what constitutes a legal sweepstakes? (May 13, 2025)
- Covers: Florida AG sues Stake and VGW (August 20, 2026)