It’s been a year like no other for the sweepstakes industry with multiple unprecedented legal challenges.
Around 15 states have seen their lawmakers introduce bills to ban the sweeps vertical, and some of these proposals have succeeded while others have failed.
We’ve also seen actions from gaming regulators and Attorneys General to target sweeps operators with tools like subpoenas and cease and desist letters.
However, it’s been the efforts from the various state lawmakers that have taken center stage; we’ve seen a level of direct legislative targeting that hasn’t been there in previous years.
At this point in 2025, there are only a few states whose legislative sessions are still ongoing (California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin). Essentially, things have calmed down somewhat until 2026, giving us a chance to assess the current legal landscape for the sweepstakes industry.
Below we’ll detail any states that debated anti-sweeps bills this year, and note other actions by state agencies and politicians. Please bear in mind that some jurisdictions – like Washington, Michigan, and Idaho – have longer-standing legal restrictions that already keep sweepstakes operators out.
Anti-Sweeps Bills and Other State Actions in 2025
| State | Action |
|---|---|
| Arizona | In April, the Arizona Department of Gaming sent cease and desist letters to multiple unregulated gambling operators, including two sweepstakes companies: Modo.us and Epic Hunts. |
| Arkansas | Anti-sweeps bill HB1861 failed. |
| California | AB831 was turned into an anti-sweepstakes bill via a ‘gut and amend’ in June. Next hearing scheduled for August 18. |
| Connecticut: Bill signed into law | Anti-sweeps bill SB1235 passed the legislature and was signed into law in June. Law comes into effect October 1. Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced a $1.5m settlement with High 5 Entertainment LLC and High 5 Games LLC in relation to an investigation into High 5’s sweepstakes platform. |
| Delaware | Delaware’s Division of Gaming Enforcement issued a cease and desist letter to VGW in February, with the operator leaving in April. |
| Florida | Anti-sweeps bill SB1404 failed. |
| Illinois | Anti-sweeps bill SB1705 failed. |
| Louisiana: Bill vetoed | Anti-sweeps bill SB181 passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry who said LA already had laws in place to ban sweepstakes operators. Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued cease and desist orders to multiple sweepstakes operators around June (announced after bill was vetoed). In July, Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a legal opinion determining that sweepstakes casinos constitute illegal gambling under Louisiana law. |
| Maryland | Anti-sweeps bill SB0860 failed. Lottery and Gaming Control Agency issued cease and desist letters to multiple sweepstakes casinos (announced in January). |
| Mississippi | Anti-sweeps bill SB2510 failed. Mississippi Gaming Commission issued a cease and desist order to Chumba around June. |
| Montana: Bill signed into law | Anti-sweeps bill SB555 passed and was signed into law in May, making Montana the first state to ban sweepstakes casinos in this way in 2025. Law comes into effect October 1. |
| Nevada: Bill signed into law | SB256 passed and was signed into law in June, strengthening pre-existing laws relating to illegal operators, including sweepstakes casinos. It's assumed the law comes into effect October 1. |
| New Jersey: Bill passed legislature | Anti-sweeps bill A5447 passed both chambers but no updates since June 30. We assume it's yet to be delivered to the governor. If signed, it would come into effect immediately. Earlier in the year (January), A5196 was introduced to legalize and regulate sweepstakes casinos, but this bill was soon withdrawn. |
| New York: Bill passed legislature | Anti-sweeps bill S5935 passed both chambers but no updates since June 17. We assume it's yet to be delivered to the governor. If signed, it would come into effect immediately. Attorney General Letitia James issued cease and desist orders to 26 sweepstakes operators around June. |
| Ohio | Anti-sweeps bill HB298 failed. |
| Texas | SB517 failed, but it wasn't a specifically anti-sweepstakes bill anyway - could have only banned sweepstakes under certain interpretations. |
| West Virginia | Attorney General John McCuskey sent out 47 subpoenas to sweeps casinos in January. Apparently 20 operators have since left. |
What’s Next?
While legislative sessions for most states are over, it doesn’t mean action from regulators and attorneys general is over – there’s no time limit on these things. We also still have bills still in motion in California, New York, and New Jersey, three of the biggest markets in the whole country, and what happens there could be pivotal.
Stay tuned to SweepsKings to stay informed on these issues and more.
Author: Joseph Allen
Updated:
