Indiana has become the newest state to put forward legislation targeting sweepstakes casinos.
In fact, the Hoosier State has technically already started its 2026 session, getting a head start on every other state. Representative Ethan Manning wasted no time, introducing House Bill 1052, and it received its first reading before gaining referral to the Committee on Public Policy.
HB 1052 is what’s known as an ‘omnibus bill’, covering a wide range of issues including:
- Horse racing
- Sports betting
- Sweepstakes casinos
- Sale of tobacco and alcohol
These multi-subject proposals combine various changes in one text to move them through committees and floor votes in one go – this is often faster than introducing many separate bills.
This technique can also make a bill more attractive to a broader coalition of lawmakers; some sections might be popular enough to help the more controversial parts pass.
What Does HB 1052 Say About Sweepstakes Casinos Exactly?
Sweepstakes players in Indiana will naturally be most curious about what HB 1052 has to say on sweepstakes gaming.
The description of a “sweepstakes game” here is very similar to other bills we’ve seen this year. It’s defined as one that:
“(1) utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing a player to exchange currency for a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents or a chance to win a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents; and
(2) simulates casino-style gaming, including slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, and sports wagering.”
This kind of game would be made illegal, and the penalty for infringement by operators is also the same as other recent bills, reaching up to $100,000.
However, one point of difference is how HB 1052 only targets the sweeps casino operators themselves and not the supply chains supporting them. Recent successful bills in California and New York also targeted institutions like banks, payment processors, games studios, and media affiliates aiding sweeps operators.
Indiana Anti-Sweeps Bill is Part of a Broader Trend
Legislation around this area has been a hot topic in 2025, with six states successfully moving anti-sweeps bills all the way through to a signature from the Governor:
- Montana
- Connecticut
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- California
- New York
Lawmakers in the US are increasingly taking issue with the dual-currency systems of sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, WOW Vegas, and McLuck. This is where virtual tokens like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins are used to exploit loopholes in state law. This then allows residents to enjoy online casino gaming and cash redemptions, even in states where iGaming has technically not been legalized.
Bans in California and New York have been particularly big blows for the sweeps vertical, with the vast majority of sweeps casinos withdrawing completely in these two states. However, some of the more established sites remain, offering Gold Coin play without the option for Sweeps Coin play and cash redemptions.
The online sweepstakes format began in 2012 with VGW’s Chumba brand, but it faced its toughest year yet in 2025. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like things are going to calm down heading into 2026.
Author: Alex Windsor
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