The sweepstakes casino business model has become increasingly popular in the U.S. lately, and many states have started taking action against it. We have seen loads of attempts to “contain” these sites, including suggestions to ban them completely. Some states have made more progress than others in this department, and this article covers all the latest bills, bans, and everything else you should know.
As the legislation landscape regarding sweepstakes platforms across different U.S. states keeps changing rapidly, it might be difficult to keep up with all the developments. We have compiled the lates information on upcoming state-wide sweepstakes casino bans, with their hard effective dates, so that you can prepare on time:
| State | Enacted Legislation | Hard Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | Senate Bill 1589 | November 1, 2026 |
Louisiana is also putting a complete stop to sweepstakes casinos. Following dozens of warning letters sent to sites in mid-2025, Governor Jeff Landry signed two strict new laws (HB 883 and HB 53) in May 2026, officially making dual-currency online gaming illegal across the Pelican State.
Louisiana’s new rules carry some of the toughest penalties in the entire country, including potential felony charges and huge fines for operators, promoters, and payment processors. Because of these severe laws, almost every top sweepstakes brand has already pulled out of the state ahead of the official August 1, 2026 enforcement date.
What you should do: stop purchasing coins and request redemptions for any remaining Sweeps Coins right away. If you’re looking for legal ways to play in Louisiana, you can still use licensed mobile sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps, or visit local land-based and tribal casinos.
Get the full breakdown of the ban in our guide to Luisiana sweepstakes casinos.
Starting July 14, 2026, online sweepstakes casinos have officially been declared illegal in Maine. A new law (LD 2007) completely bans the popular “Gold Coin and Sweeps Coin” games you’re used to playing for real prizes on sweepstakes platforms. Maine has joined states like Indiana in completely shutting down these apps, meaning you can no longer legally play for cash cashouts from inside the state.
If you’re wondering why sweepstakes casinos started pulling out in April (when LD 2007 was signed into law by Governor Janet Mills), it’s because the state penalties are brutal. The law isn’t targeting the players, though — it goes after the companies. Any sweepstakes operator caught running games in Maine faces massive fines from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation. Because the state is playing hardball, almost every major sweeps brand packed up and started blocking Maine players immediately to avoid getting crushed financially.
Maine is practically clearing out sweepstakes sites to make room for its own fully regulated, legal online casinos. The state recently granted Maine’s Wabanaki Nations the exclusive right to run official online gambling apps. Industry giants like DraftKings and Caesars are already setting up shop to launch legal, state-taxed apps late this year or in early 2027. Sweepstakes might be gone from the Pine Tree State, but 100% legal real-money slots and tables are on the way.
Iowa has officially moved past the phase of legislative “uncertainty” with the enactment of Senate File 2289, when Governor Kim Reynolds signed it into law on May 15, 2026. Diverging from the absolute statutory bans seen in states like Indiana or Oklahoma, Iowa’s lawmakers chose an enforcement-first approach.
SF 2289 explicitly inserts “illegal sweepstakes” into the regulatory purview of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC). This upgrade grants the commission the explicit legal authority to issue administrative cease-and-desist orders and seek court-backed injunctive relief against any unlicensed platform offering games of chance or dual-currency models within state lines.
This law went into full effect on July 1, 2026. While major brands are still technically accepting Iowa players and processing Sweeps Coins redemptions, the regulatory buffer zone is closed.
We don’t expect all sweepstakes sites to suddenly shut down or block Iowa players on July 1. Instead, the new law simply gives state gaming officials the power to check out websites one by one and close down the ones they think are breaking the rules.
Because of this, some major sweepstakes casinos have already terminated their presence in Iowa, including High 5 Casino, Baba Casino, and Lucky Bunny. We recommend players from Iowa to check any official communication from their favorite sweepstakes brands and proceed carefully. Try not to leave large balances in your accounts, as some more sweepstakes casinos might choose to block Iowa players in the coming months.
After efforts to legalize online gambling stalled in early 2025 with the failure of House Bill 1432, Indiana lawmakers pivoted to a direct crackdown on dual-currency sweepstakes platforms. The Hoosier State officially closed its doors to sweepstakes casinos when Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1052 into law in March 2026.
House Bill 1052 explicitly targets platforms offering casino-style or lottery-simulated games that use dual-currency systems redeemable for cash or real-world prizes. To enforce the prohibition, the state granted the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) aggressive new powers, including civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation against non-compliant operators. Notably, the bill still allows peer-to-peer, skill-based poker platforms. However, standard sweepstakes slot and table game operations are strictly banned.
The law went into full effect on July 1, 2026. In the meantime, major sweepstakes casino operators began withdrawing from the Indiana market to avoid severe financial penalties. Indiana players are strongly advised to review any official announcements regarding their accounts and request redemptions for any remaining Sweeps Coins balances immediately. As enforcement ramps up, any remaining sweepstakes platforms are expected to block Indiana residents completely.
You can get more information in our detailed guide to the ban of Indiana sweepstakes casinos.
Governor Bill Lee approved SB 2136 on May 22 and signed it into law. As a result, Tennessee has officially become one of the states that have banned online sweepstakes. This decision comes after the legislature approved this ban earlier in April 2026. The new regulations classify sweepstakes casinos as platforms that use dual-currency systems, and it also gives a definition to other options like slots, video poker and bingo, among others.
Under the new rules, running illegal sweepstakes can constitute a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. This will allow authorities to issue fines and even take legal action. Additionally, the state’s Attorney General will have greater investigative powers.
Morover, a new law makes prediction market manipulation a criminal offense. People who intentionally influence the outcome of an event can be charged with a Class E felony. This makes Tennessee among the first states in the U.S. to ban this specific type of market manipulation.
In May 2026, Oklahoma became a primary battleground in the national campaign against sweepstakes casinos following a dramatic legislative showdown over Senate Bill 1589. Heavily backed by the state’s powerful tribal gaming entities, who view unregulated dual-currency platforms as a direct economic threat, the bill comfortably cleared both chambers before facing a sudden veto from Governor Kevin Stitt on May 7.
Stitt publicly criticized the legislation, arguing that it unnecessarily weaponized criminal felony charges against businesses and everyday apps. However, lawmakers successfully overrode the governor’s veto on May 14, 2026, passing the measure with overwhelming two-thirds majorities in both the Senate (34–10) and House (68–19).
Players should know that SB 1589 does not trigger an immediate blackout. There is a formal grace period ahead of the official state-wide sweepstakes ban coming on November 1, 2026. Once active, the law will designate the dual-currency framework as illegal online gambling and upgrade violations to a Class C2 felony offense, carrying fines up to $2,000 and potential jail time.
Players have several months left to redeem outstanding Sweeps Coin balances, as main operators slowly pull out of the state.
Lawmakers in Minnesota seem to be determined to shut down sweepstakes casinos for good. This became clear following the Senate File 4474, which will basically outlaw dual-currency games that look similar to sports betting and casinos. Senators John Marty, Jordan Rasmusson, Matt Klein and Erin Maye Quade are behind the idea. Assuming the new law becomes a reality, promoting sweepstakes casinos will be a felony.
That’s not the only new bill, because there is also the Senate Full 4511, which targets prediction markets. The goal behind this one is to ensure that they can’t offer trade on sports and various political events.
In case you did not know, the Senate File 4474, which targets sweepstakes casinos, is an addition to the cease-and-desist letters from before. Thanks to Attorney General Keith Ellison, 14 unregulated operators stopped providing services in Minnesota. The Senate File expands this regulatory power and can deny licenses if an operator’s revenue is related to sweepstakes.
Alongside all that, Minnesota’s lawmakers also voted to move House File 4410 to the Public Safety Committee. This house file targets the dual-currency gaming mode that sweepstakes casinos operate under. The new law will basically prohibit a person in the state (or a company) from operating such dual-currency sites or even promoting them.
It’s no surprise that the House File 4410 received a lot of support, especially from the Director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association. He said that these gaming platforms are unregulated and report billions in earnings. With that said, he also noted that normal sweepstakes or social operators that do not use dual currency and casino games should still be allowed.
It seems like Maryland lawmakers are reconsidering a bill to crack down on illegal online gambling and sweepstakes casinos. They believe these sites are essentially using the dual-currency model and avoiding any regulation.
Jeff Waldstreicher and Chris West are behind the proposal and it would give the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency more power. It will be able to issue cease-and-desist orders, freeze accounts and fine violators. What’s more, the agency will be able to go after the payment processors and different partners of these sites, not just the sites themselves. This is good news for the agency because it has reported that it needs more authority in order to be effective.
The important thing is that the new bill targets unregulated gambling sites. It excludes the legal sports betting and fantasy sports platforms, so users don’t need to worry about them getting away.
Keep in mind that the Maryland Senate was among the first in the U.S. to pass a sweepstakes prohibition bill. The bad news for it was that it fell short and ultimately died in the House committee during the last session. Although Maryland failed to pass the bill, other states like California, New Jersey and New York succeeded.
Ohio was among the states considering a ban on sweepstakes casinos. However, it seems the proposal is still on hold because state lawmakers decided not to act on House Bill 298. This means you can still check the highest sweepstakes casinos rated there and pick the one you like best.
As of 2026, Ohio remains one of the key markets for sweepstakes casinos. Given that it’s among the most populous states in the country, sweepstakes operators focus heavily on it because it’s also among the few major jurisdictions where these sites can operate legally.
The fact that lawmakers decided not to move forward with HBN 298 shows that they are open to dialogue. However, it also shows that there’s always a risk of a future ban. The class action lawsuit against Crown Coins casinos definitely adds fuel to the potential ban and shows that there is regulatory pressure on these operators.
Assuming such a ban becomes a reality, many Ohio residents are likely to focus on offshore platforms. These companies lack consumer protections and responsible gambling tools and put players at great risk.
Washington, DC might be on the verge of joining several other US states in outlawing dual-currency operators and legalizing online casinos. The so-called Council Bill 260656 (also known as the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026) was filed on April 9. Wendell Felder is behind it, and the bill is already with the Committee on Human Services, with a hearing scheduled for April 21.
If the new bill passes, it will also legalize iGaming there. Companies wishing to operate in this jurisdiction will have to pay a 25% tax on their GGR and be ready to pay $2M for a license valid for 5 years. After that, companies will be able to renew their permit for a fee of $500,000.
The CB260656 will task the Office of Lottery and Gaming with regulating iGaming. There won’t be a limit on the number of licenses, but operators who already have a sports betting license will have some advantages. Also, the minimum age required to use these sites will be set to 21.
As mentioned, CB260656 will also ban the sweepstakes casino. In fact, the bill extends beyond the famous dual-currency model by also outlawing the potential subscription model. The Office of Lottery and Gaming will be able to issue the cease-and-desist orders to sweep operators. On the other hand, the Attorney General can take sweep operators to court and even seize profits when it becomes clear they’ve been operating unlawfully in DC.
It seems like we are on the verge of witnessing a new sweeps model that ties revenue to subscriptions. The new model first became available on a site called Thrillaroo, which is a subscription-based casino-style platform.
But how does it actually work? Well, the site has two main modes you can choose from – Thrill Mode and Chill Mode. The latter uses Chill Points, which are its virtual currency, and it means you can play for free. Unlike traditional Gold Coins, however, these never end, so you can always play with them.
Those wishing to test Thrill Mode will discover that it uses Thrill Tokens, which users must purchase. This makes them very different from Sweeps Coins because sweepstakes casinos usually do not allow people to purchase them directly. Users will quickly discover that the Thrill Tokens carry monetary value and players can redeem their balances like on a real gaming platform.
This is where the subscription model comes into play. People with a paid membership can access the Win Win Guarantee, which is added to Thrill Mode. Once the subscription period is over, the site will compare your total wagers with winnings. If you have lost more than you won, Thrillaroo will return the difference. In other words, you only lose the subscription fee.
The innovative platform is currently available in NY and CA and its membership starts from $29.99 for a week. You can also subscribe for $99.99 for 30 days or $289.99 for 90 days.
