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Sweepstakes Casino Laws by State: October 2026 Map

Which states ban sweepstakes casinos, which treat them as illegal, which are under enforcement pressure, and which have bills waiting. Updated October 18, 2026.

Last updated October 18, 2026 · LaunchSweeps · General information, not legal advice

Tap a state on the map or a name in the list for details. Tap a group to highlight it on the map.

Sweepstakes casinos use two coins: Gold Coins for fun play and Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for prizes. For years that model ran in most of the US. In 2025 and 2026 that changed fast. More states passed laws banning it outright, and regulators and attorneys general in other states started sending cease-and-desist letters and filing lawsuits.

Here is where things stand. Laws are moving quickly, so check the date at the top and talk to a lawyer before you decide where to operate.

Banned by state law

These states have passed laws that ban the dual-currency sweepstakes casino model. Several also reach the companies that supply, promote or process payments for these casinos, not only the operators.

  • California: AB 831, in force January 1, 2026. The law also reaches vendors.
  • New York: S5935A, signed December 2025, with fines of $10,000 to $100,000.
  • New Jersey, Connecticut, Montana, Maine, Indiana and Tennessee: statute bans in force.
  • Louisiana: ban in force since August 1, 2026.
  • Oklahoma: SB 1589 takes effect November 1, 2026. It is a felony and reaches platforms, geolocation providers, suppliers, promoters and affiliates.

Treated as illegal under older law or by the regulator

Washington, Idaho, Michigan and Nevada have no new sweepstakes-specific law, but their existing gambling laws or regulators treat these casinos as illegal, and most major brands have left.

Open, but under enforcement pressure

Sweepstakes casinos still operate in these states, but regulators or attorneys general have acted. This is where the risk is moving fastest.

  • Florida: the Attorney General sued major operators and their payment companies in August 2026 and has sent letters to large tech platforms.
  • Illinois: the Gaming Board and Attorney General sent more than 60 cease-and-desist letters in February 2026.
  • Kentucky: the Attorney General sued a major operator in June 2026.
  • Minnesota, Maryland and Arizona: Attorney General or regulator letters and orders. Maryland is now contacting payment processors.
  • Delaware, West Virginia, Mississippi and Iowa: regulator action; most large operators have left or offer Gold Coins only.

Bills to watch

  • Pennsylvania: HB 2801, referred September 2026; the session ends November 30, 2026.
  • Virginia: SB 579, carried to 2027, with a study due December 1, 2026.
  • Washington, D.C.: B26-0656.
  • Wyoming: a felony bill advanced out of committee.
  • Ohio: HB 298 and SB 197, stalled for now.

Everywhere else

We found no specific new law or enforcement action in the remaining states as of this update. That does not mean a state is safe: general gambling laws still apply, and the picture changes every month. Your lawyer decides where you operate.

What this means if you run a sweepstakes casino

  • Block banned states at sign-up and at every purchase, not just in your terms. Location checks need to run where the money moves.
  • Watch the vendor clauses. California and Oklahoma reach suppliers and promoters, so your platform, payment and marketing partners care where you operate too.
  • Re-check every month. Several states moved in 2026 alone.
On LaunchSweeps you switch off any state you do not serve, and players there are blocked. Your lawyer decides which states stay on. Book a private demo to see how it works.

Sources: ZwillGen on California AB 831 · NY Senate on S5935A · World Casino Directory on Oklahoma SB 1589 · Lines.com state tracker · Lines.com, October 2026 crackdown · Sweepsy state laws. This page is general information, not legal advice.