Last checked: September 2026. State laws on sweepstakes casinos changed repeatedly in 2025 and 2026, so check the brand's sweepstakes rules and your state's current law before you play. This page is general information, not legal advice.
As of September 2026, 11 states have passed laws banning sweepstakes casinos, and regulators in 3 more treat them as illegal under existing gambling law. All but one of those bans are already in force: Oklahoma's takes effect on November 1, 2026.
States with a sweepstakes casino ban
| State | Law | In force from |
|---|---|---|
| California | AB 831 | January 1, 2026 |
| Connecticut | SB 1235 (Public Act 25-112) | October 1, 2025 |
| Indiana | HB 1052 | July 1, 2026 |
| Louisiana | HB 883 and HB 53 | August 1, 2026 |
| Maine | LD 2007 | July 2026 |
| Montana | SB 555 | October 1, 2025 |
| Nevada | SB 256 | October 1, 2025 |
| New Jersey | A5447 | August 15, 2025 |
| New York | S5935A | December 5, 2025 |
| Oklahoma | SB 1589 | November 1, 2026 |
| Tennessee | SB 2136 | May 22, 2026 |
Most of these laws target the dual-currency model by name, and several, including California's and New York's, also cover businesses that support the games, such as payment processors. Nevada's SB 256 is broader: it toughened the penalties for all unlicensed gambling, sweepstakes casinos included.
The route to a ban was not always direct. Louisiana's governor vetoed a ban in 2025, then signed a more targeted one in 2026. Oklahoma's became law in May 2026, when legislators overrode the governor's veto.
States that enforce existing gambling law
Idaho, Michigan and Washington treat sweepstakes casinos as illegal gambling under laws already on their books, and brands generally exclude all three. Michigan's Gaming Control Board has sent cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators since 2023.
Other states to watch
- Iowa gave its Racing and Gaming Commission new powers from July 1, 2026 to order unlicensed operators, sweepstakes platforms included, to stop.
- Florida's attorney general sued two large sweepstakes operators, and the payment processors that work with them, in August 2026.
- Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi and Virginia debated bans in 2026 that did not pass in that year's sessions.
Brands also exclude states on their own, often after a regulator sends a warning letter, so a brand's list of excluded states is usually longer than the lists on this page.
How to check before you play
- Read the eligibility section of the brand's official sweepstakes rules, which lists the excluded states and the minimum age.
- Check your state gaming regulator's or attorney general's website for recent announcements.
- Expect a location check. Brands use geolocation and your verified address, and because sweepstakes rules are void where prohibited, play from an excluded state can be canceled, prizes included.
- If a brand announces it is leaving your state, read the notice for the deadline to use or redeem any remaining Sweeps Coins.
New to sweepstakes play? Start with what a sweepstakes casino is.
FAQs
Which states have banned sweepstakes casinos?
As of September 2026, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and Tennessee have passed laws against them, with Oklahoma's ban taking effect on November 1, 2026. Idaho, Michigan and Washington treat them as illegal under older gambling laws.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in my state?
If your state isn't on our lists, sweepstakes casinos may be available there, but each brand sets its own excluded states and laws are changing quickly. Check the eligibility section of the brand's sweepstakes rules and your state regulator's announcements before you sign up.
What happens to my Sweeps Coins if my state bans sweepstakes casinos?
It depends on the brand and on the law. Brands leaving a state normally announce a date after which Sweeps Coin play stops there. Read the notice as soon as it arrives, and redeem any eligible balance before that date if the brand's rules allow it.