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Dated, state-by-state record of where sweepstakes casinos are legal, banned, pending a ban, or unavailable due to enforcement actions. Updated as legislation and regulatory actions occur.
36
Open states
13
Banned / enforcement exit
2
Pending ban (effective date set)
51
Total states + DC
As of April 18, 2026, sweepstakes casinos are open in 36 US states, banned or effectively unavailable in 13, and scheduled to be banned under legislation already signed in 2 more. Indiana's HB 1052 takes effect July 1, 2026, and Maine's LD 2007 takes effect July 14, 2026.
Hover a state to see its current status.
Legislation already signed; operators are still serving these states until the effective date but are expected to exit by then.
State law expressly prohibits dual-currency sweepstakes casino operations. No major operator serves these states.
| State | Effective Date | Reason / Source |
|---|---|---|
| CaliforniaCA | Effective January 1, 2026 | Sweepstakes casinos banned under AB 831, effective January 1, 2026Source: AB 831 |
| ConnecticutCT | — | Sweepstakes casino operations banned by state legislation (2025)Source: Public Act 25-XX (2025) |
| DelawareDE | — | State gaming regulations effectively prohibit dual-currency sweepstakes casino operations |
| IdahoID | — | State law restricts sweepstakes casino operations |
| MichiganMI | — | State gaming regulations prohibit dual-currency sweepstakes casino operations |
| MontanaMT | — | Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos banned by state legislation (2025) |
| NevadaNV | — | Commercial gaming regulations prohibit dual-currency sweepstakes casino operations |
| New JerseyNJ | — | Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos banned by state legislation (2025) |
| New YorkNY | — | Dual-currency sweepstakes casinos banned by state legislation (2025) |
| WashingtonWA | — | State law restricts sweepstakes casino operations |
No statutory ban, but state regulators have issued cease-and-desist letters and operators have exited the state.
| State | Effective Date | Reason / Source |
|---|---|---|
| IllinoisIL | — | Operators have exited following ~65 cease-and-desist letters issued by state regulators in February 2026Source: State regulator C&D letters (Feb 2026) |
| LouisianaLA | — | 70+ operators exited following state cease-and-desist actions after the governor's veto of the formal ban billSource: State C&D actions (2025–2026) |
| TennesseeTN | — | Operators have exited following cease-and-desist letters issued by the state Attorney General in December 2025Source: AG Skrmetti C&D letters (Dec 2025) |
Sweepstakes casinos operate under federal sweepstakes law. Individual operators may still impose their own state restrictions.
Live, dated record of state-level sweepstakes casino regulatory changes and enforcement actions. Pulled from the CasinoRankr state_regulatory_events log; most recent 25 events shown.
Governor Braun Signs HB 1052 Into Law
Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1052 into law, making Indiana the first state to ban sweepstakes casinos in 2026. The law targets dual-currency and multi-currency systems that simulate casino or lottery gaming. The Indiana Gaming Commission can issue civil fines up to $100,000 per violation, including against out-of-state companies serving Indiana residents. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026.
Conference Committee Report Adopted
Both chambers adopted the conference committee report for HB 1052. The Senate voted 46-4 and the House approved 68-21, clearing the bill's final legislative hurdle.
Senate Passes HB 1052
Indiana Senate passed HB 1052 by a vote of 37-8, advancing the sweepstakes casino ban to conference committee.
House Passes HB 1052
Indiana House of Representatives passed HB 1052 by a vote of 87-11, banning online sweepstakes casino platforms that use dual-currency or multi-currency systems to simulate casino gaming.
HB 591 / SB 204 Under Legislative Review
Florida's sweepstakes casino ban bills continue through the legislative process with hearings scheduled for January and February 2026. Legal experts predict strong passage likelihood given the Seminole Tribe's political influence and the state's constitutional prohibition on casino-style gaming outside tribal compacts. If enacted, Florida would become the largest state by population to ban sweepstakes casinos, following California's January 1, 2026 ban.
Online Casino Ban Bills Carry Over to 2026
Ban bills tied to the legalization of regulated online casinos in Illinois carried over to 2026 legislative session. While these bills primarily target unlicensed online casino operations, language could potentially affect sweepstakes casino models. Illinois remains home to Rush Street Interactive (RSI), a major regulated gaming operator headquartered in Chicago, giving the state significant influence in national gaming policy discussions.
AB 831 Ban Takes Effect
California's sweepstakes casino ban officially took effect, making it illegal to operate online sweepstakes games using the dual-currency model within the state. California accounted for approximately 17% of total U.S. sweepstakes industry revenue according to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. The ban represents a major contraction in the sweepstakes casino market, setting a precedent that other states have begun to follow.
Sources: [1]
Governor Hochul Signs Sweepstakes Casino Ban
Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill 5935A into law, officially banning sweepstakes casinos in New York. The ban came after most operators had already exited the state following Attorney General Letitia James's enforcement actions earlier in the year. The legislation codified the regulatory position that sweepstakes casinos constitute illegal gambling under New York law. New York joined California, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Montana in enacting comprehensive bans on the sweepstakes casino model.
Sources: [1]
House Bill 591 and Senate Bill 204 Filed
Florida Representative Berny Jacques filed the 86-page House Bill 591, with a companion measure Senate Bill 204, seeking to ban all non-Seminole online and retail gaming except for daily fantasy sports. The bill would make operating, conducting, or promoting internet gambling a third-degree felony, effective October 1, 2026. The legislation aims to eliminate loophole-based gaming models, including sweepstakes casinos, to protect the Seminole Tribe's gaming exclusivity under the 2021 compact. An SGLA economic impact report estimated Florida accounts for 8.5% of sweepstakes operator revenue in 2025, representing more than $1 billion in purchases.
Carnival Citi exits California market
AB 831 sweepstakes casino ban
Mass Exodus: High 5, Carnival Citi, Dora Casino Exit
Following the signing of AB 831, multiple major sweepstakes casino operators ceased California operations. High 5 Casino, Carnival Citi, and Dora Casino all announced immediate exits from the California market. Operators cited the imminent ban and extended liability provisions that could affect payment processors and technology vendors as primary reasons for the early departure.
High 5 Casino exits California market
AB 831 sweepstakes casino ban
Dora Casino exits California market
AB 831 sweepstakes casino ban
Governor Newsom Signs AB 831 Into Law
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 into law, effectively banning sweepstakes casinos in California effective January 1, 2026. The bill passed with unanimous support in both chambers, backed by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), which argued sweepstakes casinos violated tribal gaming compacts. The law makes operating or supporting online sweepstakes games a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Notably, it extends criminal liability to payment processors, geolocation providers, gaming content suppliers, platform providers, financial institutions, and media affiliates that 'knowingly' support such operations.
Connecticut Sweepstakes Casino Ban Takes Effect
Connecticut's ban on sweepstakes casinos officially took effect, making it illegal to operate online sweepstakes games using the dual-currency model. Connecticut joined Montana as the first two states to enact bans in 2025, beginning a wave of state-level prohibitions. The ban was driven by the state's regulated online casino and sports betting operators, who argued sweepstakes casinos undermined the regulated market.
Montana Sweepstakes Casino Ban Takes Effect
Montana's sweepstakes casino ban officially took effect, prohibiting the operation of online sweepstakes games. Montana, along with Connecticut, became the first states to enact sweepstakes casino bans in 2025, beginning a regulatory trend that would continue throughout the year.
Chumba Casino (VGW) exits Montana market
SB 555 sweepstakes casino ban
Global Poker (VGW) exits Montana market
SB 555 sweepstakes casino ban
LuckyLand Slots (VGW) exits Montana market
SB 555 sweepstakes casino ban
VGW Exits Montana in Anticipation of Ban
VGW, operator of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, exited Montana in anticipation of the SB 555 ban taking effect. The company chose to leave early rather than face potential legal consequences under the new law. VGW's exit represented a significant market contraction in Montana, removing three of the most popular sweepstakes casino brands from the state.
Ruby Sweeps Exits California Market
Ruby Sweeps became one of the first sweepstakes casinos to voluntarily exit California, anticipating the passage of AB 831. The operator cited regulatory uncertainty and the strong likelihood of the ban becoming law. This marked the beginning of a wave of pre-emptive exits as operators chose to leave before the January 1, 2026 deadline rather than face potential legal consequences.
Ruby Sweeps exits California market
Voluntary exit anticipating AB 831 ban
Governor Murphy Signs Ban Into Law
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed bill A5447 into law, officially banning sweepstakes casinos in New Jersey. The ban reinforced New Jersey's position as a leader in regulated online gambling, protecting the state's legal casino market from unregulated competition. New Jersey's regulated online casino market is one of the largest and most successful in the United States, generating hundreds of millions in tax revenue annually.
Global Poker (VGW) exits New York market
Regulatory uncertainty and pending legislation. Part of VGW's comprehensive NY exit
LuckyLand Slots (VGW) exits New York market
Regulatory uncertainty and pending legislation. Part of VGW's comprehensive NY exit
CasinoRankr. (2026). Sweepstakes Casino Legality — Live State Tracker. https://casinorankr.com/research/state-legality-live
Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Machine-readable JSON at /api/public/data/states. Underlying dataset shared with our annual report and Industry Data Hub.
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| Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| District of ColumbiaDC | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| FloridaFL | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| GeorgiaGA | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| HawaiiHI | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| IowaIA | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| KansasKS | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| KentuckyKY | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| MarylandMD | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| MassachusettsMA | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| MinnesotaMN | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| MississippiMS | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| MissouriMO | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| NebraskaNE | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| New HampshireNH | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| New MexicoNM | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| North CarolinaNC | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| North DakotaND | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| OhioOH | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| OklahomaOK | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| OregonOR | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| PennsylvaniaPA | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| Rhode IslandRI | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| South CarolinaSC | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| South DakotaSD | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| TexasTX | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| UtahUT | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| VermontVT | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| VirginiaVA | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| West VirginiaWV | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| WisconsinWI | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |
| WyomingWY | — | Open market under federal sweepstakes law |