Are Sweepstake Casinos Legal?

Updated: April 30, 2025

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    • NY sweeps bill passes committee stage: A second New York sweeps bill passed the committee stage on April 30th with the same language as A6745.

    • Montana bans sweeps casinos:  A bill effectively booting sweepstakes gaming sites out of Montana has passed both chambers of the state legislature and is just a Gov. Greg Gianforte signature away from becoming law.  operators, offshore sportsbooks and peer-to-peer betting exchanges.

    • Regulatory debate: Lawmakers cite legal loopholes and lack of oversight, while industry groups argue bans misrepresent sweepstakes games and threaten legitimate promotions and innovation.

    🇺🇸 Interactive map and bill tracker

    Legend
    Available
    Bill
    Failed / Withdrawn
    Banned
    AL
    AK
    AZ
    AR
    CA
    CO
    CT
    DE
    FL
    GA
    HI
    ID
    IL
    IN
    IA
    KS
    KY
    LA
    ME
    MD
    MA
    MI
    MN
    MS
    MO
    MT
    NE
    NV
    NH
    NJ
    NM
    NY
    NC
    ND
    OH
    OK
    OR
    PA
    RI
    SC
    SD
    TN
    TX
    UT
    VT
    VA
    WA
    WV
    WI
    WY
    DC

    ✋ States with bills to ban Sweepstake casinos

    The casino gaming industry is rapidly expanding in the United States, with sweepstakes casinos emerging as the top alternative to traditional gambling platforms. The gaming sites operate in a gray area due to the no-purchase format with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

    Since the start of the year, 11 states have introduced bills to ban this model. Louisiana and Montana have passed and await signatures. All eyes are currently on New York, where the Horse Racing and Wagering Committee has approved the amendments to the existing bill. Over 90% of sweepstakes operators have voluntarily withdrawn from the New York market, with the most recent being FunzPoints.

    Massachusetts and Maryland both failed to meet legislative session deadlines, while the author pulled Arkansas.

    Several states have also issued cease-and-desist orders, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, and most recently, Arizona.

    StateBillDetails of billProgress
    ConnecticutSB 1235Prohibits real or simulated casino gaming by sweepstakes operatorsFiled in Committee
    FloridaSB 1404 House Bill 953Seeks to strengthen the state’s definition of online gambling.In Committee hearings
    MarylandSB 0860Prohibition of sweepstakes gamingPassed in Senate; legislature ended, bill failed.
    MississippiSB 2150Sought to criminalize online sweepstakes casinosFailed in conference committee
    New JerseyA 5447
    A 5196
    A 5447 would prohibit a sweepstakes model of wagering.
    A 5196 would have designated sweepstakes casinos as internet gaming.
    A 5447 was introduced, A 5196 was withdrawn from consideration.
    New YorkSB 5935 AB 6745Prohibit online sweepstakes gamingSB is on the Senate Floor. AB is in Committee.
    IllinoisSB 1750Redefines definition of gamblingUnder consideration in the Senate’s Gaming, Wagering, and Racing Committee
    LouisianaSB 181Redefines gambling and increases penalties.Filed April 4, 2025; Senate Judiciary B Committee
    MissouriHB 1251Modifies provisions relating to illegal gamblingTo House Government Efficiency Committee, no hearing scheduled to date
    ArkansasSB524Aimed to classify the operation of illegal online casinos and sports betting as feloniesPulled by author, recommended for study in the Interim by the Committee
    MontanaSB 555Revise existing gambling laws, updating penalties to include felony.Bill passed, awaiting signature

    The industry is at a crossroads, with growing legal scrutiny and regulatory changes reshaping its future. While these platforms have gained popularity by offering an alternative to traditional online casino gaming, legislative efforts in several states show signs of potential restrictions or full bans.

    The introduction of legislation in states like New York and New Jersey poses an increased risk to the industry. The lack of uniform federal laws leaves regulation on a state-by-state basis, making compliance difficult for operators.

    Will more states introduce legislation against sweepstakes gaming? Will the bills pass into law or become a tool for creating new regulations to help the sweepstakes industry grow even further? For now, we are in a wait-and-see period.

    ❌ Database of operators and restricted states

    The table below gives you a quick overview of the sites available and the restricted states. For a complete view, see our list of sweepstake casinos here.

    Owner🎰 Operator❌ Restrictions
    B2Services OÜMcLuckAL, CT, DW, GA, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA, WV
    VGW Holdings Ltd.Chumba CasinoCT, ID, MI, MO, MS, WA
    MW Services LimitedWow VegasCT, DE, ID, KY, MI, MT, NV, WA, WV
    Sweepsteaks LimitedStake.usCT, DE, ID, KY, MI, NJ, NV, NY, PA, RI, VT, WA, WV
    VGW HoldingsGlobal PokerCT, ID, MI, MT, WA
    B2Services OÜMega BonanzaAL, CT, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, MT, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, WA, WV
    A1 Development LLC.FunzCityCT, DE, ID, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA, WV, WY
    Yellow Social Interactive LimitedPulszAL, CT, ID, LA, MI, MS, MT, NY, NV, TN, WA, WV
    A1 Development LLC.Fortune WheelzCT, DE, ID, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA, WV, WY
    RealPlay Tech Inc.RealPrizeCT, ID, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA
    Sunflower LimitedCrown CoinsID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    A1 Development, LLC.FunRizeCT, DE, ID, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA, WV, WY
    B2Services OÜ,JackpotaAL, CT, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, PA, WA, WV
    A1 Development LLC.No Limit CoinsCT, DE, ID, MI, MT, NV, NY, WA, WV, WY
    Matt Ricci and Mario DodevFliffID, HI, NV, TN, WA
    Yellow Social Interactive LimitedPulsz BingoAL, CT, ID, LA, MI, MS, MT, NV, NY, TN, WA, WV
    Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW).Luckyland SlotsCT, ID, MI, MT, WA
    Gold Coin Group LLCChancedCT, DE, ID, KY, NY, MI, MT, NV, WA, WV
    Living Pixels Studio LLCDingDingDingID, KY, MI, NY, NV, WA
    Silver Swan LTD.LegendzCT, ID, KY, MI, MT, NB, ND, NV, NY, OH, TN, WA, WV
    Woopla IncFunzPointsID, MI
    Citi Media Tech, LLCCarnival Citi CasinoFL, GA, ID, KY, MI, MO, MT, NC, NE, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, WA,
    High 5 Entertainment, LLCHigh 5CT, DW, GA, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, NY, PA, RI, WA, WV
    Thrillzz IncThrillz CasinoAL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, NV, OH, SC, WA
    Smarter Solutions Professional Services LLC.SportzinoID, GA, MI, WA
    NSUS Group Inc.ClubGGGA, HI, MI, MN, MS, MT, OK, SC, SD, WA
    Joy Media Works LLCZitoboxWA
    Compass Systems LimitedYay! CasinoID, KY, MI, NV, NY, VT, WA
    Jon KaplowitzClubs PokerID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    Social Gaming LLC.Fortune CoinsID, MI, WA
    Carson HubbardReBetID, KY, NV, WA
    ARB Gaming LLCModo.usCT, DE, ID, LA, MD, MI, MT, NJ, NV, PA, RI, WA, WV
    Heuston Gaming Malta LimitedSweeptasticID, MI, MT, NV, WA
    ProphetX OpCo LLCProphetXAL, CO, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, OH, TN, WA
    Special M LimitedSports MillionsAL, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    Fifth Street Gaming DigitalJefeBetCT, DE, HI, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NJ, NV, OH, PA, WA
    Jefe LimitedTheBoss CasinoAR, GA, HI, ID, IA, KY, LA, MI, MS, ND, NV, NY, OH, TN, VT, WA
    Gold Coin Group LLC.PuntID, KY, MI, NV, WA
    The Money Factory LLC.The Money FactoryID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    Green Candy Solutions, IncCashoomoDE, ID, MI, WA
    Rolling Riches Ltd.RollingRichesDE, HI, ID, KY, MI, NV, WA
    Element PartnersClubWPTAL, FL, GA, ID, MI, MN, MS, MT, OK, WA
    Spiral InteractiveGambino SlotsNo restricted states
    Kickr Games Pty LimitedKickrCasino: ID, MI, MT, WA Sportsbook: AL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MS, MT, NV, OH, SC, WA
    B2Services OÜPlayFameAL, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NJ, NV, WA
    Internet Cafe GamesVegasXID, NV, WA
    SpinPals LLC.SpinPalsAL, CT, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    Golden Hearts Games, Inc.Golden Hearts GamesID, MI, NV, WA
    Atlantic Management B.V.Luckybird.ioID, KY, MI, NV, WA
    Scrooge LLC.Scrooge CasinoAK, AZ, ID, MI, MT, WA
    Jacob Fortinsky and Kelechi UkahNovigAL, CO, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, TN
    Irving Place Technologies LLCPlaynomicID, NV
    Rubystone Ventures LLC.RubySweepsCT, DE, ID, KY, MI, NE, OH, RI, UT, WA
    Yellowbrick Holdings LimitedRunestakeID, MI, NV, WA
    JSP Media Holdings LLCVegas GemsCT, ID, MI, MT, NV, WA, WY
    A1 Development LLCTaoFortune CasinoID, MI, WA, WY
    Skillz Inc.SkillzAR, CT, DE, LA, SD
    Stackr Social, LLC.StackrDC, ID, MI, NV, WA
    Play Spree Ltd.Spree CasinoAL, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    Zach BruchMyPrize.usHI, ID, MI, MT, NV, WA
    10 Ten Gaming LLC.Smiles CasinoID, KY, MI, NV, WA
    Blazesoft Ltd.Fortune2GoID, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    IGW Wild World LLCWildWorldCT, HI, ID, LA, NV, WA
    Moshy Gaming LLC.MooziID, MI, NV, WA
    Enigma Lake Holdings, Inc.Zoot CasinoID, LA, MI, ND, NE, NV, WA
    MW Services LimitedGoldnLuckID, MI, NV, WA
    Yotta Technologies Inc.Yotta CasinoID, LA, NV, WA
    LGT Development LLC.CosmoSlotsDE, MI, RI, WA
    B-Two Operations LimitedSpin BlitzAL, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MI, MT, NV, WA
    N/ABitBetWin CasinoWA
    FunzoneCA, DE, NY, OH
    Rubystone Ventures LLC.GoldSlipsID, KY, WA
    B-Two Operations LimitedHello MillionsAL, CT, DE, GA, ID, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, MT, NJ, NV, NY, OH, WA, WV
    GAN Social LLCBananaBetsAL, AK, DC, MO, NM, SC
    BlazesoftZulaGA, ID, MI, WA
    UnknownSpeed SlotsCT, DW, HI, IA, LA, MD, MI, MT, NV, WA

    ✅ States with sweepstake sites

    The table below includes the current status in 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. This resource includes the approximate number of sweepstakes casinos operating and any restrictions on max wins in each state. Florida and New York have laws around max wins. As Matt Bain covers here, how the operator handles this differs depending on the site you are playing on.

    Legend: ✅ (Available) ❌ Banned ❓(Status pending)

    StateAvailable# of sitesMax prize
    Alabama22+No max
    Alaska60+No max
    Arizona60+No max
    Arkansas60+No max
    California60+No max
    Colorado60+No max
    Connecticut10+No max
    Delaware10+No max
    Florida60+$5,000
    Georgia60+No max
    Hawaii15+No max
    Idaho❌ (SC games not permitted)10+ (Gold Coins games only)No max
    Illinois60+No max
    Indiana60+No max
    Iowa60+No max
    Kansas60+No max
    Kentucky20+No max
    Louisiana10+No max
    Maine60+No max
    Maryland60+No max
    Massachusetts60+No max
    MichiganN/ANo max
    Minnesota60+No max
    Mississippi60+No max
    Missouri60+No max
    Montana15+No max
    Nebraska60+No max
    Nevada10+No max
    New Hampshire60+No max
    New Jersey10+No max
    New Mexico60+No max
    New York10+$5,000
    North Carolina25+No max
    North Dakota60+No max
    Ohio20+No max
    Oklahoma60+No max
    Oregon60+No max
    Pennsylvania10+No max
    Rhode Island60+No max
    South Carolina60+No max
    South Dakota60+No max
    Tennessee60+No max
    Texas60+No max
    Utah30+No max
    Vermont60+No max
    Virginia60+No max
    WashingtonN/ANo max
    Washington D.C60+No max
    West Virginia20+No max
    Wisconsin60+No max
    Wyoming20+No max

    🆓 How it works: The free entry model

    The sweepstakes sites use a dual-currency system that includes Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC). You’ll see these currencies called slightly different names at some sites, but the concept is identical across all sweepstakes casinos.

    Gold Coins are play money currency, and you can only use GC in the play money games at a sweeps casino. Sweeps Coins are a virtual currency that you can use to play in the sweepstakes games at a casino. You can redeem the SC that you win in these games for cash prizes.

    You can’t directly purchase SC at a sweeps casino. Under sweepstakes laws, players must be able to enter the sweepstakes offered at a site for free. Sweepstakes casinos fulfill this legal obligation by extending several different ways to obtain SC for free. The most popular method is writing letters to request free Sweeps Coins.

    Learn more: How sweepstake casinos work

    🏦 Tax implications on winnings

    Federal gaming laws require players to pay income tax on sweepstakes wins of $5,000 or more. This could be a single win on a jackpot or bet that you redeem for $5,000 or more, or it could be your cumulative sweepstakes winnings for the year.

    In addition to federal taxes, sweepstakes gaming wins could be subject to state taxes as well. State tax could be payable depending on which state you’re playing from and possibly which state you live (if the two are different).

    When it comes to sweepstakes casino winnings, we highly recommend keeping track of your total wins and losses for the year. Consulting with a tax professional and disclosing all of that information is your best bet when it comes time to report winnings and fulfill tax obligations.