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LegalResearch record as of October 3, 2026 · By Vincent Wesley Couey

States That Ban Sweepstakes Casinos (2026): Each Law, Its Dates and Penalties

9 states have a law in force that bans sweepstakes casinos. For each: the law, when it was signed and took effect, what it covers, its penalties, and whether it names publishers or affiliates. Oklahoma's ban, passed but not yet in force, has its own page.

In this group: California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee.

California

Law or action
AB 831 (Valencia), 2025-26 session: adds Penal Code 337o, amends Bus. & Prof. Code 17539.1
Signed
October 11, 2025
In force
January 1, 2026
What it covers
PC 337o(a): operating, conducting or offering an online sweepstakes game (internet, dual-currency, simulates gambling, awards cash or cash equivalents) in the state.
Penalties
PC 337o(d): misdemeanor; fine $1,000 to $25,000, or county jail up to one year, or both.
Names publishers or affiliates
Yes
Operator exits
Pulsz ended CA Sweeps Coins play Dec 15, 2025; McLuck exited Dec 29, 2025 (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
44 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Connecticut

Law or action
Public Act 25-112 (Substitute SB 1235), Sec. 14 amending CGS 42-301
Signed
June 24, 2025
In force
October 1, 2025
What it covers
CGS 42-301(a) as amended: 'No person shall conduct or promote a sweepstakes or a promotional drawing ... that ... (3) allows or facilitates participation in any real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering, unless such person is licensed under chapter 229b.'
Penalties
42-301(e): penalty for professional gambling under 53-278b(b); 42-301(f): violation of (a) is an unfair or deceptive trade practice under CUTPA 42-110b.
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Operator exits
VGW lists CT among excluded jurisdictions (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
62 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Indiana

Law or action
HEA 1052 (2026), reported as Public Law 153-2026
Signed
March 12, 2026
In force
July 1, 2026
What it covers
Operator or individual who knowingly uses the internet to conduct a 'sweepstakes game' (online, dual- or multi-currency exchangeable for prizes, simulates lottery, casino or sports wagering) in Indiana or with an Indiana participant. Peer-to-peer skill poker excluded.
Penalties
Civil penalty up to $100,000, assessed by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Operator exits
Trade press reports dual-currency platforms blocked IN by July 1, 2026 (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
37 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Louisiana

Law or action
HB 883 (2026 RS) = Act 182, amends R.S. 14:90.3 (gambling by computer), enacts R.S. 27:19.1 and 19.2; HB 53 (2026 RS) = Act 48, adds gambling crimes as racketeering predicates
Signed
Act 48: May 11, 2026; Act 182: May 15, 2026
In force
August 1, 2026
What it covers
R.S. 14:90.3(B): any internet game using a dual-currency system exchangeable for prizes or cash that simulates gambling 'constitutes gambling by computer'.
Penalties
14:90.3(F): up to $20,000 and/or up to 5 years (doubled fine if under-21 involved); each promotion a separate violation; forfeiture of profits (J). Act 48: racketeering predicates (trade press: up to $1M fine and 50 years; reported, not confirmed by us).
Names publishers or affiliates
Yes
Enforcement
R.S. 27:19.1: AG or Gaming Control Board may serve 10-day C&D notices on operators, platform providers, payment processors; AG must publish a public list of noticed operators and URLs; R.S. 27:19.2(B): AG may seek ex parte injunction compelling a platform provider to remove or disable 'a hypertext link to a website violating this Chapter' and compelling any person to discontinue 'supporting, marketing, promoting' gambling by computer; Pre-statute: AG opinion July 2, 2025 that sweeps casinos are illegal; ~40 C&D letters (reported, not confirmed by us)
Operator exits
VGW excludes LA per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
59 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Maine

Law or action
LD 2007 (SP 825) = Public Law 2025, chapter 645, enacts 8 MRSA c. 38 (secs. 1351-1352)
Signed
April 6, 2026
In force
July 29, 2026
What it covers
8 MRSA 1352: 'A person that operates or promotes an online sweepstakes game or supports the operation or promotion of an online sweepstakes game commits a civil violation.' Online sweepstakes game = internet, dual-currency system of payment, simulates casino-style gaming.
Penalties
Civil violation; fine $10,000 to $100,000; licensee revocation; ineligibility for listed gambling licenses.
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Operator exits
Stake.us added ME to Excluded Territories (terms v18.0, July 10, 2026; reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
37 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Montana

Law or action
SB 555 (2025), amending the definition of 'internet gambling' in MCA 23-5-112 (history note: amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 234 and Ch. 626, L. 2025)
Signed
May 2025 (reported May 12 or May 16, 2025)
In force
October 1, 2025
What it covers
Online casinos using any form of currency constitute prohibited internet gambling: per trade press, 'any platform, website, or application that knowingly transmits or receives gambling information, allows consumers to place a bet or wager using any form of currency, and makes payouts of any form of currency.'
Penalties
Reported up to $50,000 and up to 10 years for felony violations (reported, not confirmed by us).
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Operator exits
VGW exited MT ahead of the law (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
63 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

New Jersey

Law or action
A5447 = P.L.2025, c.128 (C.52:17B-139.14 et seq.; amends N.J.S.2C:37-2 et al.)
Signed
August 15, 2025
In force
August 15, 2025
What it covers
C.52:17B-139.15: offering or conducting a sweepstakes in which a person present in NJ may participate by paying or proffering something of value 'shall constitute unlawful gambling'; 'sweepstakes' expressly includes awards via 'a dual currency system of payment'.
Penalties
Civil penalties under C.52:17B-139.18 (trade press: up to $100,000 first, $250,000 subsequent, daily; amounts reported, not confirmed by us). 2C:37-2 non-bookmaking promoting gambling: disorderly persons offense, fine up to $10,000.
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Operator exits
VGW excludes NJ (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
58 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

New York

Law or action
S5935-A (2025), Chapter 605 of 2025, adds a new section 912 (per bill text) to the Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
Signed
December 5, 2025
In force
December 5, 2025
What it covers
Sec. 912(2)(A): unlawful for any person or entity 'to operate, conduct, or promote online sweepstakes games within the State of New York.'
Penalties
Sec. 912(3): $10,000 to $100,000 per violation; loss of or ineligibility for a gaming license. Enforcement: State Gaming Commission, State Police, AG (investigate, hearings, C&D, subpoena).
Names publishers or affiliates
Yes
Enforcement
AG James: $8M from VGW (disgorgement, penalties, costs) for Chumba, Global Poker, LuckyLand, announced Sept 9, 2026
Operator exits
VGW ended NY operations before settlement.
Operators excluding it
66 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

Tennessee

Law or action
SB 2136 / HB 1885 = Public Chapter 1117 (2026), enacts TCA 47-18-5901 to -5904; adds TCA 8-6-409 (AG investigative demands); AG Skrmetti C&D letters to ~40 operators, Dec 29, 2025
Signed
May 22, 2026
In force
May 22, 2026
What it covers
TCA 47-18-5902(a): 'the operation, conducting, or commercial promoting of online sweepstakes games and other forms of online or app-based gambling are unlawful'.
Penalties
47-18-5903: violation is an unfair or deceptive act under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, with its penalties and remedies; AG records confidential.
Names publishers or affiliates
Not in the text we read
Enforcement
AG C&D letters to ~40 sweepstakes casinos Dec 29, 2025; all recipients disabled or agreed to wind down
Operator exits
Chumba, McLuck, Stake.us, Crown Coins reported exited after the AG letters (reported, not confirmed by us).
Operators excluding it
57 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read

This is a research record of published laws, bills and official actions, not legal advice. Laws and their interpretation change; check the primary source linked for each state.

Frequently asked questions

Which states are in this group?

California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, as of October 3, 2026.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is a research record of published laws, bills and official actions, with the primary source linked for each state.

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