Full breakdown of sweepstakes casino legality across all 50 US states in 2026, including 8 banned states, 3 restricted, recent legislation like AB 831, and what it means for players.
Legal in ~39 states. Banned in 8 (CA, WA, ID, NV, MI, MT, NY, CT). Restricted in 3 (NJ, LA, AZ). No state criminalizes players — enforcement targets operators only.
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Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most US states — but not all of them. The landscape shifted significantly in 2025-2026 as California, Nevada, New York, Connecticut, and Montana all passed restrictions or outright bans. If you're wondering whether you can legally play sweepstakes casinos in your state, this guide breaks down the current status for all 50 states.
Sweepstakes casinos operate under a fundamentally different legal framework than traditional online casinos. Instead of wagering real money, players purchase Gold Coins (GC) — a virtual currency with no cash value — and receive free Sweeps Coins (SC) as a promotional bonus. Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real prizes once you meet the platform's minimum threshold and playthrough requirements.
This model is legally classified as a promotional sweepstakes, not gambling. The critical legal distinction: no purchase is ever required to enter or win. Every sweepstakes casino must offer a free entry method — typically through registration bonuses, daily login rewards, social media giveaways, or the Alternative Method of Entry (AMOE) by mail. This free-entry requirement is what separates sweepstakes casinos from regulated gambling and allows them to operate in states that prohibit online gambling.
The legality of sweepstakes casinos is primarily governed at the state level. Federal law does not specifically prohibit the sweepstakes model, but individual states can restrict or ban it through their own consumer protection, gambling, or sweepstakes regulations.
As of April 2026, 8 states have effectively banned sweepstakes casinos through legislation, regulatory enforcement, or attorney general action. If you live in one of these states, major sweepstakes platforms will not accept your registration.
| State | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| California | Banned | AB 831, signed October 2025, effective January 1, 2026. Prohibits the dual-currency sweepstakes model. Criminal misdemeanor for operators with up to $25,000 per violation. Driven by tribal gaming interests. |
| Washington | Banned | Explicit prohibition on sweepstakes gambling under state gambling statutes. One of the earliest and most comprehensive bans. |
| Idaho | Banned | Cash prize redemptions from sweepstakes platforms are prohibited under Idaho law. |
| Nevada | Banned | SB256, enacted 2026. Nevada's regulated casino industry lobbied to block sweepstakes operators from the state. |
| Michigan | Banned | Long-standing restrictions. Michigan has a fully licensed online casino market (BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel) and blocks sweepstakes operators. |
| Montana | Banned | Restrictions enacted 2026 prohibiting sweepstakes casino operations. |
| New York | Banned | Restrictions enacted 2026. NY is pursuing its own regulated online casino market. |
| Connecticut | Banned | Restrictions enacted 2026. CT has existing tribal gaming compacts that conflict with sweepstakes operations. |
Three states have active regulatory pressure or pending legislation that has caused many operators to exit, though sweepstakes casinos are not fully banned:
In these states, some sweepstakes casinos may still accept players, but availability is limited and subject to change. Always verify directly with the platform before registering.
The remaining ~39 states allow sweepstakes casinos to operate. This includes the most populated states in the country:
For the full list, use our state filter on the sweepstakes casinos page to see which platforms accept players from your state.
The sweepstakes casino industry faces increasing regulatory scrutiny. Here's what changed:
The trend is clear: states with existing gambling industries (tribal casinos, regulated online casinos, sports betting) are increasingly hostile to sweepstakes operators. States without regulated alternatives generally remain open.
An important distinction: no state criminalizes players for participating in sweepstakes casinos. All enforcement actions target operators and their business partners — not individual players. Even in banned states like California (AB 831), the law explicitly targets operators, not residents.
That said, "legal" has practical implications:
CasinoRankr maintains individual pages for all 50 states with current legal status, available casinos, and state-specific FAQs:
Browse all sweepstakes casino state pages
Each state page shows which platforms currently accept players from that state, filtered in real time based on casino geo-restriction data.
Legal Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Sweepstakes casino regulations change frequently. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific legal questions about online sweepstakes participation.
