Sweepstakes Compliance Across 33 U.S. Jurisdictions confirmed Legal
In the ever-evolving world of iGaming, a significant shift has been underway, with multiple states taking action against sweepstakes casinos following a landmark legal opinion published in April 2025. This development marks a notable crackdown on these operations across various jurisdictions.
The legal opinion, while an interpretation of law and not a fact, has served as a catalyst for legislative momentum. California, Montana, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Louisiana are among the states that have passed anti-sweepstakes legislation since the opinion was published.
- California: Assembly Bill 831 (A.B. 831) is currently on the Senate Appropriations Committee's "Suspense File." The bill, which aims to ban online sweepstakes casinos using a "dual currency" wagering model, has cleared some committees unanimously and enjoys the support of major Native American tribes. It awaits a final committee decision scheduled before August 29, 2025.
- Montana: Became the first state to pass a sweeping ban on sweepstakes casinos via Senate Bill 555, effective October 1, 2025.
- New Jersey: Expected to ban sweepstakes casinos imminently, which would bring the count of anti-sweepstakes states to six.
- Connecticut and Louisiana: Both states recently passed laws banning online sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. Connecticut passed Senate Bill 1235, and Louisiana Senate Bill 181, both prohibiting these operations with strong legislative votes, including a 39-0 vote in Louisiana.
- Other states, such as Washington, Michigan, Idaho, and New York, have either banned sweepstakes casinos or imposed restrictions, with varying degrees of enforcement through cease-and-desist letters, regulatory pressure, or legislation.
- Pending legislation or proposals: New York, Nevada, and Louisiana have active proposals or legislative discussions aimed at regulating or banning sweepstakes casinos.
Richard Janvrin, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, entered the iGaming space in 2018. With a background in writing that began as a teenager, Janvrin has covered various aspects of iGaming, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, and legal aspects. Since 2015, he has been a fixture in the professional sports coverage world.
[1] California Online Poker News [2] Legal Sports Report [3] iGaming Business [4] Louisiana Illuminator [5] iGaming Business
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