States Treating Sweepstakes Casinos as Illegal Without a New Ban (2026)
13 states have no sweepstakes-specific ban but treat the games as illegal under existing gambling law, through regulator orders, attorney general action or new stop-order powers. For each: the action, its date and its source.
In this group: Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Washington, West Virginia.
Arizona
- Law or action
- Arizona Department of Gaming cease-and-desist letters, 2025 waves (reported Apr 17, Jun 26, Aug 15, 2025); A.R.S. 13-3303 (promotion of gambling) and 13-3304 cited per trade press
- What it covers
- Regulator position that sweepstakes casinos violate existing Arizona gambling law.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- ADG C&D letters to 17+ operators in 2025 incl. Modo.us, Stake.us, High 5, Pulsz, Fliff (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- Stake.us, Pulsz, High 5 reported exited AZ (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 11 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- gaming.az.govReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
- covers.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Delaware
- Law or action
- Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement cease-and-desist order to VGW Luckyland, Inc.
- In force
- April 2, 2025
- What it covers
- DGE found VGW's model to be unlicensed real-money gaming violating the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- DGE C&D to VGW Luckyland, effective April 2, 2025, announced April 7, 2025; Earlier C&D Feb 2023 per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- VGW exited DE effective April 2, 2025. Most brands exclude DE per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 49 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- news.delaware.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
Florida
- Law or action
- AG lawsuits (two complaints) filed Aug 19, 2026, Hillsborough County Circuit Court, under Florida gambling law and FDUTPA; AG letters to Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, TikTok on ads (Sept 24 or 25, 2026; response deadline Oct 23, 2026)
- What it covers
- AG position: dual-currency sweepstakes casinos are illegal online gambling; advertising them to Floridians is 'similarly unlawful' (ad-letter quote via trade press).
- Penalties
- Relief sought: permanent injunctions against operating or soliciting in FL, forfeiture and recovery of consumer losses, disgorgement, FDUTPA civil penalties, restitution, fees.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- Aug 19, 2026 lawsuits vs Stake and VGW (Chumba, LuckyLand, Global Poker) and payment processors; Named processors reported as Breeze Labs, Praxis, Trustly, Worldpay (reported, not confirmed by us); Ad-platform letters, deadline Oct 23, 2026 (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operators excluding it
- 2 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- myfloridalegal.comPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
- casino.orgReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
- covers.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
- shopifreaks.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Idaho
- Law or action
- Idaho Constitution Art. III, Sec. 20 (gambling prohibited; casino simulations); Idaho Code 18-3801 et seq.
- What it covers
- Constitutional prohibition on gambling; operators treat the state as excluded.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Operator exits
- Excluded by essentially every major operator per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 67 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- sweepsy.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Illinois
- Law or action
- Illinois Gaming Board cease-and-desist letters, in coordination with the Illinois AG (60+ recipients, Feb 2026)
- What it covers
- IGB: recipients offer games of chance over the internet awarding money or things of value without licensure, 'in violation of Illinois criminal law'; 'Illinois law further prohibits the operation of internet sites that allow gambling.'
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- IGB + AG C&D letters to 60+ entities; Named recipients reported to include VGW, Stake.us, Pulsz, Modo, Fliff, Funrize, Fortune Coins (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- Trade press reports low compliance (2 of 65 at three months); Smiles, WOW Vegas, Spin Saga, Rolla, Rolling Riches, Carnival Citi reported to restrict IL (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 8 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- igb.illinois.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
- lines.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Iowa
- Law or action
- SF 2289 (2026), Div. I Sec. 4 amending Iowa Code 99F.4(13)
- Signed
- May 15, 2026
- In force
- July 1, 2026
- What it covers
- Introduced text: the Racing and Gaming Commission may issue cease and desist orders and obtain injunctive relief 'against a person offering games of chance, gambling, sports wagering, or illegal sweepstakes in this state without holding an appropriate license ... or otherwise being specifically authorized by law.'
- Penalties
- C&D and injunctive relief; underlying criminal gambling law unchanged.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Operator exits
- High 5, Baba, Lucky Bunny reported to restrict IA before July 1, 2026 (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 6 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- legis.iowa.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
- covers.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Kentucky
- Law or action
- Commonwealth ex rel. AG Russell Coleman v. VGW, Franklin Circuit Court, filed June 17, 2026 (consumer protection, gambling law, Loss Recovery Act)
- What it covers
- AG alleges VGW's dual-currency platforms are unlawful gambling; seeks Loss Recovery Act recovery as 'winners'.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- AG v. VGW, filed June 17, 2026
- Operator exits
- Stake.us and McLuck list KY as excluded per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 17 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- ag.ky.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
Maryland
- Law or action
- Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency C&D letters (2024-2025); Baltimore City v. VGW, Stake.us, McLuck, Pulsz, High 5, Blazesoft (Circuit Court for Baltimore City, filed Mar 4, 2026); HB 295 / HB 1226 passed House, died in Senate B&T (2026)
- What it covers
- Regulator enforcement position; no sweepstakes statute.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- MLGCA C&Ds to 11+ operators incl. VGW, High 5, McLuck, Stake.us (reported, not confirmed by us); Baltimore City municipal suit Mar 4, 2026 (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- Trade press: only a few brands still accept MD (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 21 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- cdcgaming.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
- thedailyrecord.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Michigan
- Law or action
- Lawful Internet Gaming Act (Act 152 of 2019); MGCB cease-and-desist actions since late 2023; Apr 7, 2026 release: 45 offshore operators over four months; Mich. Admin. Code R 432.629 (vendor/affiliate certification)
- What it covers
- MGCB position: online casino-style games with prize redemption require a LIGA license.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- Apr 7, 2026 MGCB release on 45 C&D orders; Earlier rounds 2025 (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- Chumba, LuckyLand, Global Poker, Stake.us exited MI per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 69 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- michigan.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
- law.cornell.eduPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
Mississippi
- Law or action
- Mississippi Gaming Commission C&D letters to ten offshore and sweepstakes operators incl. VGW (June 2025); SB 2104 (2026) passed Senate, died in House Gaming Committee
- What it covers
- MGC position: operation contravenes Mississippi criminal gambling laws.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- MGC C&Ds June 2025 (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- VGW excludes MS per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 10 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- casinoreports.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
- sweepsy.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
Nevada
- Law or action
- NRS 463.160, 465.070, 465.092 (unlicensed gaming, unauthorized wagers); SB 256 (2025): disgorgement of profits from illegal gaming; accepting unauthorized wagers raised to gross misdemeanor; reported as Chapter 337, 83rd Session
- Signed
- 2025 (date not confirmed)
- What it covers
- Unlicensed gaming and acceptance of wagers from persons in Nevada; no sweepstakes-specific definition.
- Penalties
- SB 256 R1: disgorgement of profit, gain, gross receipt or other benefit, in addition to existing penalties.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Operator exits
- Essentially all major brands exclude NV (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 63 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- archive.leg.state.nv.usPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
Washington
- Law or action
- RCW 9.46.240 (transmission of gambling information); Washington State Gambling Commission Sweepstakes FAQ
- What it covers
- RCW 9.46.240: 'Whoever knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by ... the internet ... shall be guilty of a class C felony'. WSGC: 'Are sweepstakes legal in WA? No.'
- Penalties
- Class C felony (RCW 9A.20.021).
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Operator exits
- All major brands block WA (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 69 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- app.leg.wa.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
- wsgc.wa.govPrimary or official source, read October 3, 2026
West Virginia
- Law or action
- AG McCuskey subpoenas and warning letters to sweepstakes operators (2025; ~47-50 reported)
- What it covers
- AG position: operators outside the regulated iGaming framework are operating illegally.
- Names publishers or affiliates
- Not in the text we read
- Enforcement
- AG subpoenas 2025 (reported, not confirmed by us)
- Operator exits
- VGW phased out WV (Nov 2025) and 20 to 40+ platforms exited per trade press (reported, not confirmed by us).
- Operators excluding it
- 35 of 70 operators whose published terms we could read
- covers.comReported by this publication; not confirmed by us
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?
Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, Washington, West Virginia, 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.