SweepstakesExplainer9 min read
Sweepstakes Casinos by State: 2026 Legal Map
State-by-state guide to where sweepstakes casinos are legal, banned, or facing pending legislation in 2026. Updated as new bans pass.
State-by-state guide to where sweepstakes casinos are legal, banned, or facing pending legislation in 2026. Updated as new bans pass.
The sweepstakes casino landscape in 2026 looks nothing like it did two years ago. In 2024, you could play in 45+ states. Today, a wave of state bans has shrunk that number to roughly 35-40, and more restrictions are coming.
I'm tracking every state ban, pending bill, and enforcement action so you don't have to. Here's where you can and can't play right now.
Sweepstakes casinos operated in a legal gray area for years. They used the dual-currency model (Gold Coins + Sweeps Coins) and free entry via AMOE to classify themselves as promotional sweepstakes rather than gambling. Most states didn't have laws specifically addressing them.
That changed in 2025. California's AB 831 was the first major domino, and it triggered a cascade of state-level action. By early 2026, ten or more states have passed outright bans, and another half-dozen have legislation in progress.
These states have passed legislation or have existing laws that prohibit sweepstakes casinos:
Status: Banned (longstanding) Washington has some of the strictest gambling laws in the country. Online sweepstakes casinos are explicitly prohibited. This has been the case for years, WA was the first state where major platforms stopped operating.
Status: Banned (no cash prizes) Idaho prohibits cash prize redemptions from sweepstakes gaming platforms under state lottery and gaming statutes. Some platforms technically operate here but without the ability to redeem Sweeps Coins for cash, defeating the purpose.
Status: Banned effective January 1, 2026 (AB 831) The biggest blow to the industry. California represents roughly 12% of the US population. AB 831 didn't just ban the casinos, it extended criminal liability to payment processors, geolocation providers, gaming content suppliers, and media affiliates. This scared the entire ecosystem.
Status: Banned effective October 1, 2025 (SB 555) Montana moved fast after seeing the California bill. SB 555 prohibits sweepstakes casino operations within the state.
Status: Banned effective February 2026 (SB 1235) Connecticut already had a regulated online casino market (via Mohegan Sun and FanDuel). The ban on sweepstakes casinos protects those licensed operators from unregulated competition.
Status: Banned effective late 2025 (SB 5935) Governor signed SB 5935 in December 2025. New York has been pushing to expand its own licensed online casino market, and sweepstakes operators were seen as unlicensed competition.
Status: Restricted (regulatory conflict) Nevada's existing gambling regulations create conflicts with the sweepstakes model. Most platforms don't operate here to avoid legal issues with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Status: Banned/Restricted Michigan has a robust regulated online casino and sportsbook market. Sweepstakes casinos are restricted to protect licensed operators.
Status: Banned/Restricted Similar to Michigan, NJ has a mature regulated online gambling market and restricts sweepstakes operators.
Status: Banned/Restricted Louisiana has taken enforcement action against sweepstakes platforms, including cease-and-desist orders.
These states have legislation actively progressing:
Status: Ban effective July 1, 2026 (HB 1052) Already passed. If you're in Indiana, you have until July to play.
Status: Progressing (HB 295) Passed the House 105-24 on March 23, 2026. Likely to become law.
Legislation is in various stages in:
Not all of these will pass. But the trend is clearly toward more restriction, not less.
Some states haven't passed sweepstakes-specific laws but have used existing authority to act against operators:
These are less predictable. A platform might work in these states today and get blocked tomorrow.
If your state isn't listed above, sweepstakes casinos are generally available. This includes major markets like:
Large states still available: Texas, Florida (for now), Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia (for now), Tennessee (for now), Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky
Note: Even in "legal" states, individual platforms may exclude your state based on their own legal assessment. Always check a platform's terms before signing up.
Each sweepstakes casino manages its own state exclusion list independently. Just because the state hasn't banned sweepstakes casinos doesn't mean every platform operates there.
For example:
Always check the specific platform's availability in your state before creating an account.
If you're in a banned state: Your options are traditional regulated online casinos (if available in your state), social sportsbooks (some still operate where casinos don't), or no online play.
If you're in a state with pending legislation: Play while you can, but don't build a huge balance. Withdraw regularly. When bans take effect, platforms typically give a grace period to cash out, but don't count on it.
If you're in a legal state: Enjoy it while it lasts, but stay informed. The regulatory wave hasn't peaked yet.
Three main reasons:
Protecting licensed operators. States like NJ, CT, MI, and NY have regulated online casino markets generating tax revenue. Sweepstakes casinos compete with those licensed operators without paying state gaming taxes.
Consumer protection concerns. The American Gaming Association and state regulators argue that sweepstakes casinos have weaker responsible gaming protections, minimal independent game testing, and questionable age verification compared to licensed casinos.
Revenue. States want their cut. Sweepstakes casinos operate without state gambling licenses, meaning zero tax revenue for the state. Banning them pushes players toward licensed (and taxed) alternatives.
Yes, but in fewer states and with more regulation. The most likely outcome:
I'll keep this guide updated as new bans pass. Bookmark it and check back before signing up at any new platform.
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This content was written by our editorial team with AI assistance for research, grammar checking, and optimization. All testing, analysis, and recommendations are based on personal experience.