All posts tagged: sweepstakes

Maryland session ends leaving sweepstakes gaming bills stalled once again as SGLA celebrates

Maryland session ends leaving sweepstakes gaming bills stalled once again as SGLA celebrates

Published by skeptic

Maryland wrapped up its 2026 legislative session without approving two bills targeting sweepstakes-style gaming, keeping a familiar fight unresolved for at least another year. The measures, HB 295 and HB 1226, both cleared the House of Delegates. Neither one made it through the Senate before lawmakers adjourned on April 13, which ended their chances this session. The split mirrors what happened in 2025, when a Senate-backed ban proposal stalled once it reached the House. The result was quickly celebrated by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which represents companies in the sector and argues its members operate legally while providing consumer safeguards. In a statement sent to ReadWrite after the session ended, Managing Director Sean Ostrow said the group spent months pressing that case with lawmakers. “We are pleased with this result in Maryland and want to thank the Maryland lawmakers who took the time to thoroughly consider this issue.  “Over multiple hearings and dozens of meetings, SGLA addressed false allegations by casino interests by demonstrating that the Social Plus industry already offers strong consumer protections …

Louisiana lawmakers advance crackdown targeting illegal online sweepstakes

Louisiana lawmakers advance crackdown targeting illegal online sweepstakes

Published by skeptic

Louisiana lawmakers are pressing ahead with a push to rein in illegal online sweepstakes-style gaming, after the state House overwhelmingly backed House Bill 883 and sent it over to the Senate this week. Rep. Laurie Schlegel’s proposal cleared the chamber on April 14 with virtually no opposition, winning final votes of 99-0 and 98-0. By April 15, the Senate had taken it up, giving it a first reading and placing it on the calendar for debate. The language in the bill itself spells out that, “Gambling by computer is the intentional conducting, or directly assisting in the conducting as a business of any game, contest, lottery, or contrivance whereby a person risks the loss of anything of value in order to realize a profit when accessing the Internet.” Lawmakers are also zeroing in on newer digital formats that blur the line between gaming and gambling. The proposal explicitly includes platforms that use so-called dual-currency systems, where users can exchange virtual credits for prizes or cash-like rewards while mimicking traditional gambling mechanics. Louisiana sweepstakes bill introduces …

Maine moves to ban online sweepstakes casinos amid industry backlash

Maine moves to ban online sweepstakes casinos amid industry backlash

Published by skeptic

Maine has taken a step against online sweepstakes-style gaming, approving a new law that critics say could limit options for players without tackling illegal gambling. Gov. Janet Mills signed LD 2007 this week after it cleared the state legislature, putting Maine among the most aggressive states moving against sweepstakes-based casino platforms. The law targets sites that use promotional sweepstakes systems to offer casino-style games, a model that has expanded quickly as a workaround to traditional online gambling rules. Soon after the signing, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance criticized the decision and warned about its broader effects on players. “We are disappointed that Maine LD 2007 will become law. Unfortunately, this bill will do nothing to generate revenue for the state nor protect Mainers from exploitative illegal online gambling,” said Sean Ostrow, managing director of the group, in a release provided to ReadWrite. NEW: @SGLeadership criticises Maine’s LD 2007 signing, saying banning sweepstakes won’t raise revenue, and it would fail to protect users from illegal gambling @RWW pic.twitter.com/ImBecBhjwi — Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) April 8, 2026 “Instead, …

Tennessee lawmakers advance bill targeting online sweepstakes casinos

Tennessee lawmakers advance bill targeting online sweepstakes casinos

Published by skeptic

Tennessee lawmakers are taking another step toward tightening rules on online gambling, advancing legislation that targets sweepstakes-style casino platforms officials say are misleading residents. House Bill 1885, introduced by Rep. Scott Cepicky, moved forward Tuesday (March 31) after clearing a House panel with a recommendation for passage. The proposal now heads to the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, where lawmakers will weigh its financial impact before deciding whether to move it further along. UPDATE: Tennessee HB1885 targets illegal gambling, including #sweepstakes-style operations. Now recommended for passage and sent to Finance committee @RWW pic.twitter.com/dgStu5s8Ku — Suswati Basu (@suswatibasu) March 31, 2026 The push comes as Tennessee joins a growing list of states examining or proposing restrictions on sweepstakes casinos. Regulators and law enforcement officials have raised concerns that these platforms blur the line between legal promotions and real-money gambling. How the Tennessee sweepstakes casino bill defines illegal activity The online gaming model relies on virtual currencies. Players can buy those currencies or receive them through bonuses, then use them to play casino-style games. In some …

Maine legislature passes bill banning online sweepstakes casinos

Maine legislature passes bill banning online sweepstakes casinos

Published by skeptic

Maine lawmakers have approved legislation that effectively shuts down online sweepstakes platforms that mimic casino gambling, marking one of the clearest state-level crackdowns yet on the fast-growing sector. Senate Bill 2007 cleared the Legislature on March 26, 2026, after months of committee review and debate. The proposal was submitted by the Department of Public Safety and introduced in the Senate by Sen. Craig Hickman of Kennebec during the 132nd Legislature’s second regular session. Once enacted, the measure makes it explicit under Maine law that operating or promoting online sweepstakes games constitutes unlawful gambling and exposes violators to both civil and criminal penalties. Law targets sweepstakes platforms operating in legal gray area Sweepstakes casinos have grown rapidly across the U.S. by offering games that resemble traditional online casinos while relying on promotional sweepstakes mechanics to argue they are not accepting wagers. Maine’s legislation is designed to eliminate that gray area by creating a dedicated statutory section that both defines and prohibits online sweepstakes games. Lawmakers said the goal was to prevent companies from using dual-currency promotional …

Maryland lawmakers advance gambling bills targeting sweepstakes and college prop bets

Maryland lawmakers advance gambling bills targeting sweepstakes and college prop bets

Published by skeptic

Maryland lawmakers are pushing forward a trio of gambling bills aimed at tightening rules and going after illegal operators. House Bill 518 passed the House without opposition on March 18 and is now under review in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, along with two related proposals focused on unregulated online markets and sweepstakes-style gaming. Regulators have already shown they are willing to act, ordering two casinos to immediately halt certain activities over compliance issues, signaling a tougher stance across the state. Maryland House advances sweepstakes and college prop bet restriction bills HB 518 focuses on curbing problem gambling and placing new limits on certain wagers. It directs the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to take a more hands-on role, stating that “the Commission shall adopt regulations that are intended to reduce or mitigate the effects of problem gambling.” The rules must include “a voluntary exclusion list of individuals with gambling problems who have requested to be excluded,” along with “a simple mechanism” for people to sign up for a set period. In most …

Minnesota Senate committee advances sweepstakes casino ban bill to judiciary state

Minnesota Senate committee advances sweepstakes casino ban bill to judiciary state

Published by skeptic

A Minnesota Senate committee has moved forward a bill that would ban online “sweepstakes” casino-style games, setting up a wider fight over how the state should handle a fast-growing corner of digital gambling. Senate File 4474 cleared the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee after a March 24, 2026 hearing. The proposal now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee as lawmakers continue to weigh its impact. It focuses on platforms that use what lawmakers describe as a “dual-currency” system. Under the language, that means a setup where someone can take part in simulated gambling while paying some form of consideration and becoming eligible for “a prize, award, cash, cash equivalent, or chance to win a prize.” It also defines an “online sweepstakes game” as any online or mobile product using that system while it “simulates casino-style or another form of gambling.” Minnesota committee considers sweeping sweepstakes prohibition The prohibition itself states that “a person or entity is prohibited from operating, conducting, or promoting an online sweepstakes game in Minnesota.” The measure also blocks a wide …

Minnesota senators push bill to ban online sweepstakes casino-style games

Minnesota senators push bill to ban online sweepstakes casino-style games

Published by skeptic

Minnesota lawmakers are moving to shut down a fast-growing category of online gaming platforms that resemble casino gambling but operate under sweepstakes rules. A newly introduced bill would ban those platforms statewide if it becomes law. The proposal, Senate File 4474, was introduced Monday (March 16) during Minnesota’s 94th legislative session. The bipartisan measure comes from Sens. Jordan Rasmusson, John Marty, Erin Maye Quade, Warren Limmer, and Matt Klein. After its introduction, the bill received its first reading and was sent to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for review. NEW: Minnesota proposes a legislative ban on sweepstakes casinos. S.F. No. 4474 would prohibit any person or entity from "operating, conducting, or promoting" dual-currency online sweepstakes games which simulate casino-style or another form of gambling. https://t.co/fabcAzLKtn pic.twitter.com/i9h5KRmBXx — Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) March 14, 2026 Lawmakers behind the proposal say the goal is to address a regulatory gray area surrounding online sweepstakes-style games. The platforms tend to look and function like digital casinos, but they work under promotional sweepstakes frameworks rather than traditional gambling regulations. …

Maine lawmakers push bill banning online sweepstakes casino style games

Maine lawmakers push bill banning online sweepstakes casino style games

Published by skeptic

Maine legislators are advancing a proposal that would outlaw a category of internet-based casino-style games often marketed as online sweepstakes platforms. Supporters of the measure say it would close a gap in state gambling law, while critics argue it would wipe out a popular form of digital entertainment used by thousands of residents. The measure, LD 2007 (SP 825), carries the title “An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games.” Sen. Craig Hickman introduced the bill in the Maine Senate, and it has been sent to the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee for review. Some more movement on potential sweepstakes bans. Maine's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs just advanced LD 2007 by a 8-2 vote. The bill bans the operation of dual-currency sweeps. — Justin Byers (@justin_a_byers) February 18, 2026 Under the proposal, the state would explicitly classify certain online sweepstakes-style gaming products as illegal gambling. The legislation is designed to make clear that operating or promoting those platforms violates Maine law. Maine lawmakers target sweepstakes-style gaming sites The bill …

Indiana governor signs sweeping law tightening rules on online sweepstakes games

Indiana governor signs sweeping law tightening rules on online sweepstakes games

Published by skeptic

Indiana has adopted a wide-ranging regulatory measure that reshapes how the state handles certain sweepstakes-style online games. Governor Mike Braun signed House Bill 1052 into law on March 12, 2026, setting new limits on digital gaming products often tied to social-casino platforms. State lawmakers approved the bill earlier in the legislative session, according to official records from the Indiana General Assembly. Most provisions will begin taking effect on July 1, 2026. Alongside changes to alcohol licensing and administrative gambling rules, the law also introduces penalties tied specifically to online sweepstakes-style gaming activity. Indiana targets online sweepstakes gaming with new law The legislation mainly focuses on internet-based sweepstakes games designed to resemble traditional casino gambling. Under the statute, a “sweepstakes game” refers to a digital game played through devices like smartphones or computers that operates with a dual- or multi-currency system. Players in those systems may exchange virtual currency for cash prizes or entries that can lead to cash-equivalent rewards. Lawmakers wrote the definition broadly so it captures online games that simulate popular gambling formats. The …