Three states are moving bills that could restrict sweepstakes-style online casinos. Florida lawmakers advanced a bill that would more clearly cover casino-like games offered online. Maine is weighing a proposal that would ban “online sweepstakes games” and fine operators and promoters. Indiana is debating a bill that would define sweeps casinos in state law and add both civil and criminal penalties.
These proposals are not law yet, but they show more states want clearer rules for dual-currency, casino-style online games. For sweepstakes sites, the main question is whether lawmakers will treat them like entertainment promotions or like unlicensed gambling.
Florida Moves Toward a Clear Internet Casino Ban
Florida’s House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 13–4 on January 14 to advance HB 189. The bill defines internet gambling as online games that award money or something of value based on chance and simulate casino-style play like slots, video poker, and table games.
Players could face misdemeanor penalties. Operators and promoters face more risk: the bill would make operating, conducting, or promoting illegal gambling (including internet gambling and internet sports wagering) a third-degree felony.
The bill also adds a rule against certain gambling ads meant to promote or help illegal gambling in Florida, including ads shared online. It includes escalating penalties for repeat offenses. The proposal also notes that some existing legal gaming activity, such as certain compacted gaming, is treated differently under state law.
Maine Proposal Would Ban Online Sweepstakes Games
Maine lawmakers held a public hearing January 14 on LD 2007, a bill that would prohibit “online sweepstakes games.” It defines an online sweepstakes game as an internet game that uses a dual-currency system and simulates casino-style gaming, including slots, poker, table games, bingo, lottery-style games, and sports wagering-style games.
If passed, operating or promoting an online sweepstakes game would be a civil violation. The bill sets fines from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation and directs the money to Maine’s Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.
The measure also ties into licensing. If a licensee is found to violate the ban through the normal licensing process, the bill says the license must be revoked. It also makes violators ineligible to receive certain Maine gambling licenses in the future.
Indiana Debate Shows a Split Over Ban vs Regulation
Indiana’s HB 1052 was discussed in a January 6 committee hearing, with more hearings scheduled for January 20 and January 22. The bill defines a “sweepstakes game” as a dual-currency game offered online where players can exchange currency for cash prizes or cash equivalents, or a chance to win them.
The definition also lists casino-like formats, including slots, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, and sports wagering. Supporters argue this makes enforcement clearer. Critics have raised questions about whether sweepstakes games should be banned outright or handled through a regulated, taxed sweeps model instead.
The proposal would let regulators levy a civil penalty of $100,000 against an operator or individual who knowingly runs a sweepstakes game online. It would also treat conducting a sweepstakes game over the internet as a Level 6 felony under Indiana’s professional gambling laws.
Next up, each bill must clear more committee steps and floor votes before it can reach the governor in its state.