Maine lawmakers just took a big step toward banning sweepstakes casinos. On Feb. 18, 2026, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted 8–2 to advance LD 2007, a bill that would clearly label online sweepstakes casino games as illegal in Maine. If the bill becomes law, it would create new penalties for operators and promoters, and it could lead many platforms to block Maine users or exit the state.
What LD 2007 Would Ban and How It Defines Sweepstakes Games
LD 2007 creates a new section in Maine’s gaming laws focused on “online sweepstakes games.” The bill defines an online sweepstakes game as an internet-based contest or promotion that uses a dual-currency system and simulates casino-style outcomes. In plain terms, it targets sites that let players use one type of coin for play and another type that can be redeemed for prizes.
The bill’s definition is broad. It covers games that simulate casino-style gaming, including slots, poker and table games, lottery-style games, bingo, and sports wagering-style games. Supporters say this matters because many sweepstakes casinos look and feel like real online casinos, even if the sites describe themselves as promotions.
If it passes, the bill would also clarify that operating or promoting these online sweepstakes games counts as unlawful gambling under Maine’s Criminal Code. That would make the state’s position “black and white,” instead of leaving room for debates about whether the sweepstakes model fits older gambling definitions.
Penalties and Enforcement Tools Maine Would Add
The bill combines civil penalties with licensing consequences. Under LD 2007, a person who operates, promotes, or supports the operation of an online sweepstakes game would commit a civil violation. The fine range is $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, and the money would go to Maine’s Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.
The bill also raises the stakes for anyone tied to Maine’s regulated gambling system. If a license holder is convicted of unlawful gambling related to sweepstakes games—or found in violation through an administrative process—the responsible agency must revoke the license. On top of that, a person found in violation would become ineligible for certain licenses in the future.
Maine regulators have also been using a different approach compared to some other states. According to public comments discussed during the debate, Maine has focused on consumer warnings instead of sending large batches of cease-and-desist letters. Regulators have said that legal products show clear approval, while unlicensed sites do not.
What Lawmakers and Operators Are Arguing About Now
The hearing and committee vote showed there is still disagreement about what should happen next when it comes to the legality of sweepstakes casinos. Maine’s Gambling Control Unit director, Milton Champion, told lawmakers he believes roughly 60 sweepstakes casinos are operating in Maine, based on industry sources. He said the state has warned consumers that these sites are not authorized in Maine, and he emphasized that approved gambling brands display state authorization more clearly.
On the other side, major sweepstakes operator VGW pushed back on the idea that sweepstakes casinos should be treated like traditional online gambling. Company representative Derek Brinkman argued that redemptions are tied to the sweepstakes promotion, not the core gameplay, and suggested Maine should consider a regulated and taxed model instead of a ban.
Some lawmakers also appeared to be weighing the details more carefully after hearing from both sides. Rep. David Boyer said his view shifted after hearing how the model works, suggesting the debate is not only about “ban or not,” but also about what lawmakers believe the sweepstakes structure really is.
For now, the bill is not law. But with LD 2007 advancing out of committee, the next key steps will be legislative scheduling, floor action, and whether amendments change the bill’s scope before any final vote.