Sweepstakes Casinos: Legal States in 2026 (US Map)
As of July 2026: Sweepstakes casinos are legal in 26 US states plus Washington D.C., banned in 13 states (CA, CT, ID, IN, LA, ME, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA), and restricted in 10 states. Oklahoma has enacted a ban that takes effect November 1, 2026.
By Brooke Sterling · Updated July 18, 2026 · Verified against LegiScan and official state legislature records
Interactive Map: Click a State to Jump to Its Details
Click any state to scroll to its details below. Hover for status.
All 50 States: Sweepstakes Casino Legal Status
Click column headers to sort. Filter by state name or status. Click a state name to jump to its full details below.
| State ↑ | Status ↕ |
|---|---|
| AlabamaAL | Legal |
| AlaskaAK | Legal |
| ArizonaAZ | Restricted |
| ArkansasAR | Legal |
| CaliforniaCA | Banned |
| ColoradoCO | Legal |
| ConnecticutCT | Banned |
| DelawareDE | Restricted |
| FloridaFL | Legal |
| GeorgiaGA | Legal |
| HawaiiHI | Legal |
| IdahoID | Banned |
| IllinoisIL | Restricted |
| IndianaIN | Banned |
| IowaIA | Legal |
| KansasKS | Legal |
| KentuckyKY | Restricted |
| LouisianaLA | Banned |
| MaineME | Banned |
| MarylandMD | Restricted |
| MassachusettsMA | Legal |
| MichiganMI | Banned |
| MinnesotaMN | Restricted |
| MississippiMS | Restricted |
| MissouriMO | Legal |
| MontanaMT | Banned |
| NebraskaNE | Legal |
| NevadaNV | Banned |
| New HampshireNH | Legal |
| New JerseyNJ | Banned |
| New MexicoNM | Legal |
| New YorkNY | Banned |
| North CarolinaNC | Legal |
| North DakotaND | Legal |
| OhioOH | Legal |
| OklahomaOK | Ban Enacted |
| OregonOR | Legal |
| PennsylvaniaPA | Restricted |
| Rhode IslandRI | Legal |
| South CarolinaSC | Legal |
| South DakotaSD | Legal |
| TennesseeTN | Banned |
| TexasTX | Legal |
| UtahUT | Restricted |
| VermontVT | Legal |
| VirginiaVA | Legal |
| WashingtonWA | Banned |
| Washington D.C.DC | Legal |
| West VirginiaWV | Restricted |
| WisconsinWI | Legal |
| WyomingWY | Legal |
51 of 51 jurisdictions shown
Laws change frequently, always verify before playing
This guide reflects our best understanding as of July 2026. State laws, AG enforcement actions, and individual operator policies change constantly. Always check with the specific casino you want to join and consult the laws of your state before registering. This is not legal advice.
Where Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal?
Sweepstakes casinos give consenting adults a legal path to casino-style entertainment and real prizes, without spending a dollar. They operate under the same promotional sweepstakes model used by Publishers Clearing House for decades: no purchase necessary, free method of entry always available.
The landscape has shifted significantly in 2025–2026. Twelve states have now passed explicit ban laws (NJ, MT, NV, CT, NY, CA, IN, ME, TN, LA, and OK, plus Washington's long-standing felony statute), and attorneys general in IL, MN, and MD have issued cease-and-desist letters. At the same time, ban bills failed in FL, VA, MA, TX, OH, MN, and MD, showing the issue is far from settled nationally.
State availability also varies by operator. Stake.us, for example, restricts service in 19 states beyond the explicit bans, so even in legal states, players often look for sites like Stake.us with broader US coverage. Pulsz and Sportzino are both available in 45+ states.
We verify every state entry against the official legislative record on LegiScan and state legislature websites, plus attorney general press releases for enforcement actions, with industry news used only for added context. Last verified: July 18, 2026.
Ban Enacted, Not Yet Effective (1 state)
Ban signed into law but not yet in force. Operators are expected to exit before the effective date.
Oklahoma
Veto overridden, effective Nov 1, 2026SB 1589 passed both chambers, was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt on May 7, 2026 ("vague and overbroad"), then had the veto overridden on May 15: Senate 34–10, House 68–19. The ban takes effect November 1, 2026. Violations become a felony, with liability extending to geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and media affiliates. Includes a tribal exemption for federally recognized tribes on tribal lands.
↗ SBC Americas: Oklahoma legislature overrides Stitt vetoBanned / Illegal (13 states)
Sweepstakes casinos are prohibited by law or operators have been forced out by courts or AG action.
California
AB 831 banned sweepstakes casinos effective January 1, 2026, after passing 36–0 in the Senate and 63–0 in the Assembly. Penalties reach up to one year in jail and $1,000–$25,000 in fines, with liability extending to vendors. Most operators exited before the deadline.
Connecticut
SB 1235 (PA 25-112) banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All major operators exited.
Idaho
State law prohibits cash redemption from sweepstakes gaming, effectively banning the model. Operators do not serve Idaho residents.
Indiana
HB 1052 (Public Law 153) took effect July 1, 2026. The Indiana Gaming Commission can impose civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation against operators, including out-of-state companies serving Indiana residents. Penalties target operators, suppliers, and promoters only; playing is not an offense. Peer-to-peer skill-based poker and the state lottery are exempt.
↗ Indiana Legislature, HB 1052 (LegiScan)Louisiana
Louisiana bans sweepstakes casinos through AG enforcement and, as of 2026, explicit statute. After Governor Landry vetoed a 2025 ban bill as unnecessary, the AG declared sweeps casinos illegal gambling and the Gaming Control Board issued roughly 40 cease-and-desist orders. In May 2026 Landry signed HB 53 (Act No. 48) and HB 883, effective August 1, 2026, adding racketeering exposure with penalties up to 50 years hard labor and $1 million fines, and explicitly covering dual-currency online games.
↗ Louisiana Legislature, HB 53 (LegiScan)Maine
LD 2007, signed April 6, 2026, took effect July 14, 2026. The ban covers dual-currency slots, poker, table games, bingo, and lottery-style games. Civil penalties run $10,000–$100,000 per violation, enforced by the Maine Gambling Control Unit, with fines routed to the state's Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.
↗ Maine Legislature, LD 2007 (LegiScan)Michigan
Court rulings against sweepstakes operators combined with Michigan's licensed online gaming market have pushed all major operators out.
Montana
SB 555, signed May 12, 2025, banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All operators exited.
Nevada
SB 256 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. Ironic given Las Vegas's gambling culture, but Nevada protects its licensed casino industry.
New Jersey
A5447, signed August 15, 2025 and effective immediately, banned sweepstakes casinos. One of the earliest state bans.
New York
S5935A (Chapter 605), sponsored by Sen. Addabbo, was signed December 5, 2025 and took effect immediately. Regulators can shut down operations and issue fines from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, with additional consequences for anyone holding or seeking a New York gaming license.
↗ NY Senate: S5935A signed into lawTennessee
SB 2136 (Pub. Ch. 1117) was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 22, 2026, effective immediately. Tennessee amended its Consumer Protection Act to classify online sweepstakes games as unlawful, and expanded the Sports Wagering Council's and Attorney General's investigative authority. Most major operators had already exited before signing.
↗ Tennessee Legislature, SB 2136 (LegiScan)Washington
Washington state law explicitly defines sweepstakes gaming as illegal gambling, a Class C felony. One of the original and strictest bans, predating the 2025–2026 wave.
Laws change. Ban bills failed in five or more states this year alone. Check back, or read what sweepstakes casinos are →
Restricted / Grey Zone (10 states)
No explicit sweepstakes ban passed, but most major operators exit voluntarily due to AG enforcement pressure or broad gambling statutes.
Some operators still serve these states. Check each casino's review for current availability →
Arizona
No explicit ban, but most major operators have voluntarily exited due to legal uncertainty.
Delaware
No explicit sweepstakes ban, but operators exit voluntarily due to Delaware's tightly regulated gaming environment.
Illinois
The Illinois Gaming Board and AG Kwame Raoul sent cease-and-desist letters to 65 operators on February 5, 2026. No formal ban passed, and compliance has been minimal: as of April 2026, only 2 of the 65 had geo-blocked Illinois.
Kentucky
Kentucky bans electronic sweepstakes gaming. Most operators do not serve KY residents.
Maryland
The Maryland AG has issued C&D letters. HB 295 passed the House 105–24 in March 2026 but died in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee when the session ended April 13. Governor Moore had signaled support, so expect a 2027 reintroduction.
Minnesota
The Minnesota AG has sent C&Ds. SF 4474 passed the Senate 62–3 on April 30, 2026, but died when the regular session ended May 18 without a House vote. No ban law passed; some operators restrict MN registrations due to enforcement pressure.
Mississippi
A ban bill has failed two years in a row, but the gaming commission continues to review operations. Some operators exit proactively.
Pennsylvania
No explicit ban, but Pennsylvania's robust real-money gaming regulation creates informal pressure and most major operators exit voluntarily.
Utah
Among the strictest anti-gambling states. No explicit sweepstakes ban, but most operators don't serve UT due to high legal risk.
West Virginia
No explicit sweepstakes ban, but operators exit voluntarily due to WV's tightly regulated gambling environment.
Fully Legal (26 states + D.C.)
Sweepstakes casinos operate freely and all major platforms serve players in these states.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in the US?
Sweepstakes casinos are fully legal in 26 US states plus Washington D.C. as of July 2026. Another 10 states are in a restricted or grey zone, 13 states have outright bans, and Oklahoma has enacted a ban that takes effect November 1, 2026.
Which states banned sweepstakes casinos in 2026?
Five states enacted bans in 2026: Indiana (HB 1052, effective July 1), Maine (LD 2007, effective July 14), Tennessee (SB 2136, effective May 22), Louisiana (HB 53 and HB 883, effective August 1), and Oklahoma (SB 1589, effective November 1 after a veto override). California's AB 831 ban, signed in 2025, also took effect January 1, 2026.
Which states banned sweepstakes casinos in 2025?
New Jersey went first (A5447, effective August 15, 2025), followed by Montana (SB 555), Nevada (SB 256), and Connecticut (SB 1235), all effective October 1, 2025. New York's S5935A was signed December 5, 2025 and took effect immediately. California's AB 831, signed October 11, 2025, took effect January 1, 2026. Washington state's felony ban predates the entire wave.
Why are sweepstakes casinos legal at all?
They operate under promotional sweepstakes law, the same model used by Publishers Clearing House. The key principle: no purchase is necessary. Because no money is risked to play, it's legally distinct from gambling in most states.
Why did Nevada ban sweepstakes casinos?
Nevada's SB 256 (effective Oct 2025) banned sweepstakes casinos to protect its licensed casino industry. Despite being home to Las Vegas, Nevada tightly regulates all gambling-adjacent activity and won't allow unlicensed online gaming competitors.
Is Connecticut banned now?
Yes. Connecticut's SB 1235 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All major operators exited. This was a surprise to many players since Connecticut had long been a legal state.
What happened to Hawaii, is it legal now?
Yes. Hawaii had a ban bill introduced in 2026, but it was deferred and did not pass. Hawaii remains legal for sweepstakes casinos as of July 2026, though the situation could change in a future session.
Are sweepstakes casinos illegal in Indiana now?
Yes, for operators. HB 1052 (Public Law 153) took effect July 1, 2026. The Indiana Gaming Commission can impose civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation against operators, including out-of-state companies serving Indiana residents. Playing is not an offense; penalties target operators, suppliers, and promoters only.
Is Tennessee banning sweepstakes casinos?
Tennessee has banned sweepstakes casinos. SB 2136 (Pub. Ch. 1117) was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 22, 2026 and took effect immediately, after the legislature passed the conference report April 23 (Senate 25–5, House 69–17). Most major operators had already exited before signing.
When did Maine's sweepstakes casino ban take effect?
July 14, 2026. LD 2007 was signed by Governor Mills on April 6, 2026 and took effect 90 days after session adjournment. The ban covers dual-currency slots, poker, table games, bingo, and lottery-style games, with civil penalties of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation enforced by the Maine Gambling Control Unit.
When does Oklahoma's sweepstakes casino ban take effect?
November 1, 2026. SB 1589 was vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt on May 7, 2026, but the legislature overrode the veto on May 15 (Senate 34–10, House 68–19). After November 1, violations become a felony, with liability extending to geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and media affiliates. Federally recognized tribes on tribal lands are exempt.
Can laws change quickly?
Yes, as 2025–2026 showed. Thirteen states passed bans in under two years, and Oklahoma's takes effect November 1, 2026. Always verify current status directly with the casino before registering.
How We Verify
Every state entry is checked against the official legislative record: the bill's page on LegiScan, the state legislature's own bill tracker, and attorney general press releases for enforcement actions. Industry news outlets are used for context only, never as the sole source for a status change. We monitor legislation, AG enforcement, and operator exit announcements weekly. Last verified: July 18, 2026.
- ↗ Indiana Legislature, HB 1052 / Public Law 153 (LegiScan)
- ↗ Maine Legislature, LD 2007 (LegiScan)
- ↗ Tennessee Legislature, SB 2136 / Pub. Ch. 1117 (LegiScan)
- ↗ Louisiana Legislature, HB 53 / Act No. 48 (LegiScan)
- ↗ NY Senate press release, S5935A signed into law
- ↗ SBC Americas, Oklahoma SB 1589 veto override
- ↗ Sweepsy, industry news and legal tracking (context)
- ↗ Covers.com, gambling industry news (context)
Laws change frequently, always verify before playing
This guide reflects our best understanding of sweepstakes casino legality as of July 2026. State laws, attorney general enforcement actions, and individual operator policies change constantly. Louisiana's and Oklahoma's enacted bans take effect August 1 and November 1, 2026. Always check with the specific casino you want to join and consult the laws of your state before registering. This is not legal advice.
"Restricted" = no explicit ban but most major operators have voluntarily exited or received C&D orders. "Ban Enacted" = signed into law but not yet in force. Status changes rapidly.
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