Which US states have banned sweepstakes casinos? Live tracker covering California (AB 831), New York (SB 5935), Indiana (HB 1052), and states to watch.
The sweepstakes casino industry is under pressure. After years of operating in a legal gray area across most of the United States, a wave of state legislation in 2025 and 2026 has started closing doors. Three states have now passed dedicated bans targeting the sweepstakes casino model, and more could follow before the year is out.
This page tracks every state that has banned sweepstakes casinos, states with longstanding restrictions, and states where new legislation could be next. We update this tracker as new bills move forward.
| State | Bill | Effective Date | Status | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | AB 831 | January 1, 2026 | Active | Criminal misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail, $25,000 per violation |
| New York | SB 5935 | 2026 | Active | Operator ban, state gaming regulator enforcement |
| Indiana | HB 1052 | July 1, 2026 | Upcoming | Indiana Gaming Commission enforcement |
| Washington | Various | Longstanding | Active | Broad online gambling restrictions |
| Idaho | Various | Longstanding | Active | Strict gambling laws, most platforms exclude ID |
California set the template for state-level sweepstakes casino bans. AB 831 passed unanimously in both chambers, with a 36-0 vote in the Senate and 63-0 in the Assembly, before Governor Newsom signed it into law. The driving force behind the bill was the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) and allied tribal gaming coalitions. With over 70 tribal casinos in the state and no legal online casinos or sports betting, tribal operators viewed sweepstakes platforms as unlicensed competition operating without authorization or oversight.
The penalties under AB 831 are severe. Operating, promoting, or supporting a sweepstakes casino targeting California residents is a criminal misdemeanor. Violations carry up to one year in jail and fines of $25,000 per offense. What makes California’s law stand out from other state bans is how broadly it assigns liability. The bill reaches beyond operators to include vendors, payment processors, geolocation providers, and media affiliates who “knowingly and willfully” support sweepstakes platforms in the state.
All major sweepstakes casino platforms have geo-blocked California residents. If you live in California, sweepstakes casinos are not a legal option. For a full breakdown of the ban and its effects, read our California ban explainer. To see what entertainment options remain for CA players, check our California alternatives guide.
New York became the second state to pass a targeted sweepstakes casino ban with SB 5935. The motivation in New York looks different from California. Rather than tribal gaming interests leading the charge, New York’s ban is part of a broader strategy to bring online gaming under state control through a licensed regulatory framework.
New York has been actively developing plans to launch regulated online casinos. Sweepstakes platforms represent unlicensed competition in a market the state wants to tax, regulate, and profit from directly. Banning the sweepstakes model clears the field for licensed operators who will pay into New York’s gaming revenue system once that framework is live.
The practical effect for players is the same. Major platforms have pulled out of New York, and sweepstakes casinos are no longer accessible to state residents. For the full story on what SB 5935 means and how it affects players, read our New York ban explainer.
Indiana is next. HB 1052 has been signed into law, but the ban does not take effect until July 1, 2026. That means Indiana players still have a short window before access is cut off, though platforms may begin geo-blocking the state in the weeks leading up to the deadline.
The Indiana ban was pushed by the state’s licensed casino industry. Indiana has a well-established commercial casino market, and those operators argued that sweepstakes platforms were competing for the same customers without meeting any of the licensing, tax, or regulatory requirements that licensed casinos follow. The Indiana Gaming Commission will handle enforcement once the law kicks in.
If you are an Indiana resident, do not wait until the last minute. Redeem any outstanding Sweeps Coin balances and close out your accounts well before July 1. Once the ban is active, your access will be restricted and any remaining balance could be forfeited. For the full timeline and details, see our Indiana ban explainer.
Not all restrictions are new. A few states have maintained gambling laws strict enough that most sweepstakes casino platforms have never operated there.
Washington has some of the broadest online gambling restrictions in the country. The state treats most forms of online gambling as a felony under RCW 9.46, and sweepstakes casinos have largely avoided the market entirely. While enforcement against individual players has been rare, platforms voluntarily geo-block Washington residents rather than risk legal exposure.
Idaho maintains strict constitutional and statutory prohibitions on gambling that leave little room for the sweepstakes model. Most major platforms exclude Idaho from their service areas entirely.
Michigan and Nevada present a slightly different picture. Both states have regulated online casino markets. Some sweepstakes platforms choose to exclude these states to avoid potential conflicts with state gaming commissions, but not all platforms restrict them. Availability in Michigan and Nevada varies by operator.
One thing to keep in mind: individual platforms may restrict states beyond the ones listed on this page. Always check the terms of service for any sweepstakes casino before creating an account.
The pattern behind existing bans points to which states could act next. States with strong tribal gaming interests or existing regulated online casino markets are the most likely candidates.
Connecticut has a tightly controlled gaming market built around tribal compacts with Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Both tribes operate regulated online casino platforms in the state. The same tribal coalition dynamics that drove California’s ban could easily take hold here.
New Jersey was the first state to legalize online casinos back in 2013. Its licensed operators have a well-organized lobbying presence, and the existence of sweepstakes platforms operating alongside regulated casinos creates friction that could eventually produce legislation.
Pennsylvania runs one of the largest regulated online casino markets in the country. Licensed operators in PA generate billions in annual revenue and have clear incentive to push for the elimination of sweepstakes platforms that operate without state licenses or tax obligations.
No bills targeting sweepstakes casinos have been formally introduced in these three states as of April 2026. But the conditions that led to bans in California, New York, and Indiana are present in all of them. We will update this page if new legislation is proposed.
If you live in a state that has banned sweepstakes casinos, the answer is straightforward: do not play. Platforms will geo-block you, and trying to get around those restrictions with a VPN violates both state law and the platform’s terms of service. Accounts created through circumvention will be closed, and any winnings will be forfeited.
If you live in a state where sweepstakes casinos are still legal, there is no immediate cause for alarm. The majority of US states have not taken action against sweepstakes platforms, and millions of players continue to use them without issue. That said, staying informed matters. Pay attention to your state legislature, especially if you live in a state with tribal gaming operations or a licensed online casino market.
For Indiana players specifically, the July 1, 2026 deadline is the most pressing concern right now. Get your accounts squared away before that date arrives.
The ban wave of 2025-2026 represents a turning point. For years, sweepstakes casinos operated on the argument that they offered entertainment through a promotional sweepstakes structure, not traditional gambling. That argument is losing ground as state after state passes legislation that explicitly defines and bans the model.
The industry is likely heading toward a split outcome. Some states will continue banning sweepstakes casinos outright, following the path California, New York, and Indiana have taken. Others may eventually create licensing frameworks that bring sweepstakes platforms under state regulation, complete with tax obligations and consumer protections similar to what licensed online casinos face.
For now, the patchwork continues. Each state is making its own decision, and the legal status of sweepstakes casinos depends entirely on where you live. This tracker will be updated as the situation evolves.
Gambling should always be entertainment, never a financial strategy. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, free and confidential help is available:
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