Maine lawmakers are reviewing a new proposal that could ban online sweepstakes games in the state. The bill was filed on December 5, 2025 and is listed as LD 2007 (SP 825). It would treat certain sweepstakes-style sites—especially ones using a dual-currency system—as illegal gambling under Maine law.
If passed, the measure could bring $10,000 to $100,000 fines and other penalties. The bill is now in the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, and Maine’s next legislative session starts January 7, 2026.
What the Bill Would Ban
The proposal is called “An Act Regarding the Prohibition of Online Sweepstakes Games.” It focuses on online games or contests that look like casino games and use a dual-currency system (more than one kind of coin or token used for play). The state says these systems can include tokens you buy with money and bonus-style coins that may be used in play.
Under the bill, operating or promoting an online sweepstakes game would be treated as both a civil violation and a form of unlawful gambling. The language also covers businesses that “support” the operation or promotion of these games, not just the main site operator.
The bill describes the types of games it’s aiming at. It includes simulated casino-style options like slots, poker, and other table-style games, plus things like bingo and lottery-style games. It also says that sports betting offered through these dual-currency sweepstakes platforms would fall under the ban.
Penalties: Fines, License Risk, and Where the Money Would Go
If the proposal becomes law, the bill sets fines of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for operating or promoting the banned activity. That is a wide range, so the exact amount could depend on the case.
The bill also includes consequences for any company or person who already holds certain state gambling-related licenses. If a license holder is found in violation, the state would be required to revoke that license under the proposal. The bill also says a violator could become ineligible for certain gambling licenses going forward.
The fine money would be directed to a specific place. The proposal would send collected fines to Maine’s Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund, which supports programs related to problem gambling.
Where Things Stand Now, and What to Watch Next
This bill is not law yet. It was filed ahead of Maine’s next regular session and has been sent to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs for review. Committee steps often include a public hearing, work sessions, possible amendments, and then a vote to move the bill forward (or not).
The filing also follows earlier messaging from state officials about online gambling. Maine’s Gambling Control Unit has said that no online casino or sweepstakes site is currently authorized to operate in the state. That broader stance helps explain why lawmakers and regulators are paying closer attention to sweepstakes-style platforms.
For sweepstakes casino players and operators, the key thing to watch is whether the committee schedules a hearing and how the final wording turns out. The definitions—especially what counts as a dual-currency system and what it means to “support” promotion—can make a big difference in how widely the law would apply if it passes.