The State (By-State) Of Banning Sweepstakes In 2026

The glass-half-full angle for supporters of sweepstakes-style casino gaming: More legislation attempting to ban sweeps in individual states failed than succeeded in the first five months of 2026.

The glass-half-empty angle for the pro-sweeps contingent: Six states still did enact bans (or something akin to bans) in the first five months of 2026, equaling 2025’s total.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, the movement to eliminate this form of online gaming is marching forward. Even if the six states where anti-sweeps legislation prevailed were narrowly outnumbered by the seven states where such bills stalled out or were rejected, the trend line suggests those opposed to the dual-currency model seen in sweepstakes (or “Social Plus”) are winning.

As of June 1, here’s a rundown of what’s happened so far in 2026:

Anti-sweeps legislation passed

Indiana

We’re doing this alphabetically, but we also happen to be starting chronologically, as Indiana became the first state in 2026 to complete the legislative process when Gov. Mike Braun signed HB 1052 into law on March 12.

The bill establishes definitions of sweepstakes gaming and civil penalties for violating state law, though a provision removed late in the process had called for criminal penalties. HB 1052 gives the Indiana Gaming Commission the authority to send cease-and-desist letters to sweeps operators and impose fines of up to $100,000 per violation. 

Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed SF 2289 on May 15, and this is an interesting one in that it doesn’t directly outlaw sweepstakes gaming. But it has almost the same practical effect by giving the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission the power to issue cease-and-desist orders to sweeps operators.

Those sweepstakes sites aren’t the only ones targeted in SF 2289. The wording paves the way for C&Ds against any organization or person offering “games of chance, gambling, sports wagering, or illegal sweepstakes” without an appropriate license.

Louisiana

In 2025, Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed legislation to ban sweeps, preferring to let the Louisiana Gaming Control Board try to police the operations without an explicit law on the books prohibiting them. But this time around, Landry signed both HB 883 and HB 53 in mid-May, not only banning sweeps-style gaming but bringing it under the state’s anti-racketeering framework.

These laws together open the door for Louisiana prosecutors to pursue not only the operators, but also payment processors, affiliates, software providers, and others connected to sweepstakes gaming operations.  

Maine

A busy year in Maine gaming that began with the somewhat surprising legalization of non-sweepstakes-style online casinos extended into the sweeps realm in April when Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 2007 into law.

The bill targets “games or contests that use a dual-currency system of payment and that simulate casino-style gaming.” It allows regulators to issue fines of up to $100,000 to operators or promoters of sweepstakes sites, while also requiring revocation of the gaming license of any active Maine operator found to be operating or promoting sweeps.

Oklahoma

It took a bit of drama, but Oklahoma passed SB 1589 in May. First the bill to outlaw dual-currency casino gaming sailed through the Senate (48-0) and House (65-21), only to get vetoed by Gov. Kevin Stitt. But the votes were there to override the veto in both the Senate (34-10) and House (68-19), making sweepstakes gaming illegal — though on a much longer delay than in most states, as SB 1589 won’t go into effect until Nov. 1.

The legislation penalizes not only operators but anyone acting as an “owner or employee, geolocation provider, gaming supplier, platform provider, promoter, or media affiliate.” Stitt’s veto appeared at least partly rooted in objection to that far-reaching scope.

Tennessee

We started this section unintentionally chronologically, and we finish it the same way. On May 22, Gov. Bill Lee made Tennessee the sixth state in 2026 to pass a bill targeting sweepstakes gaming.

The new law “designates illegal gambling and related activities as a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act.” It bans all dual-currency online and app-based casino-style gambling and it expands the enforcement powers of the state attorney general.

Anti-sweeps legislation denied

Florida

A sweeps ban was just one element of wide-ranging HB 189, but none of those various elements went the distance as the bill ran out of time in the House in March. Language in the bill that could have taken slot machines away from fraternal organizations like VFWs in Florida proved a critical sticking point.

Hawaii

One of just two states with no legal gambling at all, Hawaii has begun looking at legalizing casinos and sports betting the last two sessions, with SB 1507 and HB 1434 seeking to make sweeps illegal alongside the legalization of other gaming activities. But the session ended without votes taken on either of the companion bills.

Maryland

As much as just about any state other than Maine, Maryland made progress in 2026 toward regulating online casinos before kicking the can to 2027 — and kicking a sweeps ban into next year right along with it. The House passed HB 295 and HB 1226 in March, but neither bill made it out of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee before the state’s legislative session ended on April 13.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts was another case of a proposal to legalize and regulate iGaming failing to advance — in this instance, H 4431 was sent to study in March — which meant sweeps operators survive another year in their gray area of the law. The legislation called for fines between $10,000 and $100,000 for violations of the proposed sweepstakes casino ban.

Minnesota

SF 4474 was the latest sweeps ban attempt to run out of time, with Minnesota’s legislative session ending May 18. The bill wasn’t filed until mid-March but it moved quickly, passing through the Senate on April 30 and getting a House committee assignment May 4. But the anti-sweeps bill went no further, and it doesn’t appear Gov. Tim Walz will give it additional life by calling for a special session.

Mississippi

SB 2104 passed the Senate but died in the House Gaming Committee in March, a fate similar to that suffered the year before by SB 2510. This did not, however, prevent the Mississippi Gaming Commission from sending numerous cease-and-desist letters to sweeps operators in April.

Virginia

Like neighboring Maryland, Virginia made some progress this year toward potential online casino legalization before ultimately delaying efforts to 2027. Unlike Maryland, Virginia gave up on banning sweepstakes gaming much earlier in the process. Sen. Bryce Reeves introduced SB 579 in January, aiming to add the operation or promotion of sweeps-style games to the state’s definition of “illegal gambling.” The bill made it only as far as a single committee discussion before the legislature punted it to next year.

Anti-sweeps legislation still active

Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia entered the conversation later than any state this year, with a bill filed in mid-April to potentially regulate traditional online casino gaming and ban its sweepstakes-style cousin.

In early May, a DC Council hearing allowed the usual proponents and opponents of iGaming to have their say, but there’s been no further discussion or action since. The legislative session lasts all year in D.C. (save for a summer break), so there’s time for efforts to ban sweeps in the nation’s capital to gain further traction.