US Sweepstakes Gaming Landscape: Mid‑February Legislative Update

It’s been a month since our last overview of the legislative landscape relating to sweepstakes casinos in the US, so let’s get into a new update, because plenty has happened in various states since then.

In fact, there’s so much to keep track of, we’ve added a quick-glance rating for each state describing how close it is to fully passing an anti-sweepstakes bill.

Florida (40%)

Florida is one of two states with three bills in action that could affect sweepstakes casinos operating within its borders.

Two of these proposals have very similar intentions: HB 189 and SB 1580. Both are focused on explicitly criminalizing unauthorized online gambling and internet sports wagering outside the Seminole tribal compact, which would, of course, affect sweepstakes gaming in FL.

HB 189 is further along and has a hearing in front of the House Commerce Committee scheduled for today. So far it’s had unanimous approval, and if it receives the same today, it will head to the House floor for a full vote.

The third bill in FL, HB 591 would dramatically overhaul Florida’s gambling enforcement framework across both online and land-based gambling. However, after being filed at the end of last year, it’s yet to receive a hearing, leaving its progress uncertain.

On the other hand, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has publicly expressed intent to meet with sweepstakes to discuss compliance and industry practices, and we’ve read reports that such meetings have already begun.

Virginia (30%)

Virginia is the other state with three bills in motion.

SB 579 is the most focused on sweeps – in fact, outlawing the vertical is the whole point of this proposal. It’s been filed and referred to committee, with its first hearing scheduled for tomorrow, so we’ll get an update on it soon.

Then, HB 161 and SB 118 are similar to one another, both related to sweeps in the sense that they would legalize real-money iGaming in VA, banning sweeps in the process. Virginia has been open to expanding online gaming for years, and lawmakers in both chambers appear open to act.

As for progress, HB 161 has seen plenty of action and currently sits with the House Appropriations Committee, while SB 118 awaits further consideration in the Senate Finance Committee.

Indiana (55%)

Indiana’s HB 1052 is one of the more advanced anti-sweeps bills, having fully passed the House, meaning it now sits with the Senate – it’s set for a hearing with the Senate Public Policy Committee tomorrow.

There were attempts to amend the bill to provide for sweepstakes regulation from Representative Steve Bartels, but this was ultimately voted down, so the sweeps-banning intent still stands as HB 1052 progresses.

Maine (10%)

In Maine, LD 2007 is a proposal specifically looking to outlaw sweepstakes casinos, but it’s still in the early stages of its journey. It’s only had its first committee hearing, and no vote or further committee action has occurred yet, so it remains under consideration by the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.

Mississippi (50%)

Just like HB 1052 in Indiana, Mississippi’s SB 2104 has passed out of its first chamber, the Senate, meaning it’s about halfway to potential completion. This proposal would place explicit bans on “online sweepstakes casino-style games”, and it currently sits with the House Gaming Committee, waiting for its first hearing there.

Maryland (20%)

SB 112 and HB 295 in Maryland are companion bills, both targeting dual‑currency or multi‑currency “interactive games”, which is the legal mechanism sweepstakes casinos use. SB 112 has had a Senate Budget and Taxation committee hearing, and HB 295 had its hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee, but neither bill has advanced to a full chamber vote yet.

Tennessee (10%)

HB 1885 and SB 2136 are companion bills in TN targeting online sweepstakes games as unlawful gambling under state law. HB 1885 is currently assigned to the House Departments & Agencies Subcommittee, while SB 2136’s assignment is pending committee referral.

The Volunteer State is getting serious about sweepstakes casinos with both the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council (TSWC) and Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti contacting individual brands and recommending an exit from TN. Will the two bills end up sealing the deal here? They still have a long way to go.

Oklahoma (15%)

SB 1589 in Oklahoma is a short and sweet bill that would bring dual‑currency games clearly under the unlawful gambling definition, criminalizing them under Oklahoma law. Introduced earlier this month, it’s been referred to the Senate Business and Insurance Committee and is awaiting a committee vote.

Massachusetts (15%)

Massachusetts is one state where, if a bill is introduced in the first year but not passed, it can remain active into the next year without needing to be refiled, and that’s the case for HB 4431.

This bill is actually more about legalizing iGaming in the state, but it also includes provisions that would ban sweepstakes-style dual-currency casinos once online gaming is regulated. So far, it’s been heard in committee in November 2025 and remains pending, with a March 16 reporting deadline, meaning its passage is uncertain.

Louisiana (10%)

Back in 2025, Louisiana’s governor vetoed an explicit sweepstakes‑banning bill, but the Louisiana Gaming Control Board still issued numerous cease‑and‑desist orders, making life difficult for sweeps operators in the Pelican State.

More recently in 2026, HB 53 was introduced to expand racketeering laws to cover sweepstakes gambling offenses – this would give prosecutors broader power to target operators, affiliates and facilitators. This isn’t just targeted at sweepstakes, but it’s certainly part of the bill’s intent.

As of early 2026, HB 53 has been prefiled and referred to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, where it remains under review, with lawmakers weighing its provisions and potential amendments before any committee vote or further advancement can occur.

Iowa

The Hawkeye State isn’t at the stage of looking into a full sweepstakes ban just yet – it’s still focusing on bills to allow its gaming regulator to send cease and desist letters to unwanted operators.

Iowa lags behind most other states without this power, so SSB 3040 and HSB 586 look to correct this, and they’re both steadily making progress through their respective chambers, having been introduced earlier this session.

New Jersey

The one ray of hope for sweepstakes casinos in terms of legislation this year comes from SB 1500 in New Jersey. Filed by Senator Joseph Cryan, this proposal seeks to reclassify sweepstakes casinos under NJ’s regulated gaming regime. SB 1500 was introduced on January 13 and has been referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, where it is currently pending consideration.

Illinois

Illinois is not considering any anti-sweepstakes bills right now, but the gaming regulator (the Illinois Gaming Board) recently issued cease-and-desists to a massive list of over 60 operators it considers illegal sweepstakes operators in the state.

It’s also worth noting that HB 4797 was filed earlier this month and this would create the Internet Gaming Act, a comprehensive framework to legalize and regulate online casino gaming in Illinois, allowing licensed operators to offer slots, table games, poker and live dealer products with a 25 % tax rate and up to three branded platforms per licensee.

However, similar measures in past sessions have stalled in committee, and it still faces significant political resistance before it can advance.