It’s Unanimous: Louisiana Anti-Sweeps Bill Passes In House

Louisiana moved a large step closer to becoming the third state to ban online sweepstakes casinos Monday after Sen. Adam Bass’ bill unanimously passed in the House of Representatives.

SB 181 is expected to reach Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk after being voted forward by a 99-0 count. It had passed in the Senate by a 39-0 vote in April. There were technical amendments inserted into the House bill by Rep. Debbie Villio, who presented it in the lower chamber. The bill will go back to the Senate for concurrence.

Both sponsors of the legislation have gaming interests among their constituencies. Villio represents Jefferson Parish, home to the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, and Bass’ district includes the popular casino destination Bossier City in the northwest part of the state.

“We’re disappointed by yesterday’s vote in the Louisiana House,” a spokesperson for the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) said Tuesday. “Legal sweepstakes platforms operate under well-established guidelines and are used by millions of adults, including Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft and Starbucks, to engage consumers through lawful, free-to-play promotions.

“This bill carelessly conflates legal entertainment with illegal gambling, without evidence of harm. It also threatens Louisiana’s economy by stifling digital innovation and driving compliant companies out of the state. It’s a step backward for consumer choice, lawful innovation, and common sense.”

A short discussion in the House

Villio presented the bill as a means of combatting illegal online gaming in Louisiana, noting “illegal iGaming platforms operate without adhering to established standards for fair play, player protection, and responsible gaming.” She did not specifically say “sweepstakes casinos” in addressing the House but did note the bill had the support of the Attorney General and the Louisiana State Police.

Rep. Steven Jackson was the lone legislator with a query for Villio, seeking to confirm the bill would help brick-and-mortar casinos. Villio replied, “Well, I think what I would say to that question is this is to protect our licensed Louisiana gaming operators.”

Bass’ bill goes far beyond a mere blanket ban on socials casinos with sweepstakes prizing.

Fines for violating the law would range from $10,000 to $100,000 along with a potential prison sentence of up to five years. The bill would make it “unlawful for any applicant, licensed, or permitted entity, geolocation provider, gaming manufacturer, gaming supplier, platform provider, promoter, or media affiliate to provide support for the operation, conduct, or promotion of illegal gambling by computer, including illegal online sweepstakes games as described in this Section within the state.”

Montana and Nevada are the only other states to enact bans on sweeps, with Montana’s taking effect Oct. 1 after Gov. Greg Gianforte signed SB 555 into law May 27. New York and Connecticut are pondering similar legislation.