As the 2026 legislative sessions begin to close in several states across the country, Louisiana is just beginning its session.
And, based on two bills that were filed before the session ever began and have already been assigned to committees, 2026 appears to be the year Louisiana tries to establish itself as one of the most sweepstakes casino-restrictive markets in the United States.
Let’s dig in.
Starting with the racketeering bill …
Two bills currently under consideration in the Louisiana Legislature look to build upon the state’s already-existing sweeps restrictions in significant ways.
March 9 marked the beginning of Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session.
But House Bill 53 was pre-filed way back on Jan. 30, and House Bill 883 was pre-filed on Feb. 27, still more than a week before March 9.
HB53 would fold several gambling-related violations into the state’s racketeering framework, effectively elevating them into more serious criminal territory. The violations are:
- Gambling
- Gambling in public
- Gambling by computer
- Gambling or wagering at cockfights
- Unlawful wager; prohibited player
- Bribery of sports participants
- Gambling by electronic sweepstake device
HB53 has already been assigned to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee and it has a hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. local time on March 24.
Before, we’ve written about this bill and said the last category — “gambling by electronic sweepstake device” — is what sweeps casinos would need to worry about. But that language actually more likely refers to retail kiosks offer sweepstakes games.
Still, sweeps gaming would fall under this bill.
As of today, Louisiana’s Attorney General and governor both believe gaming with Sweeps Coins at sweeps casinos is in the same category as online gambling. So, in theory, sweeps casinos would be included in that third category — “gambling by computer.” Those opinions obviously carry legal weight in the state and an operator would need some top-notch legal help to craft a counterargument.
Bringing sweepstakes operations under racketeering law represents a far more aggressive tactic than what regulators, the Attorney General, and the governor have relied on so far. Cease-and-desist letters are comparatively weak. Standard legislative bans tend to be more impactful. Beyond that, though, a racketeering designation changes the equation entirely.
If HB53 is enacted, it would sidestep many of the usual legal arguments — such as whether a game hinges on skill or chance, or whether it technically qualifies as gambling — by targeting the business model itself as inherently illegal.
It’s an assertive move, especially considering many sweepstakes operators have already exited Louisiana entirely or, at minimum, eliminated their Sweeps Coin offerings in the state.
Even more will leave if HB53 passes, and especially if HB883 passes as well, because HB883 would unequivocally classify dual-currency gaming as illegal online gambling in state law.
Putting an official ban in Louisiana law
Under HB883, any online or mobile-based casino-style falls into that category of illegal computer-based gambling if it uses two forms of currency and allows players to redeem one of them for cash, prizes, or equivalents.
The bill also casts a much wider net by targeting third parties that facilitate sweeps gaming, such as financial transaction providers and platform providers. Further, courts would be authorized to seize assets from sweeps operators stemming from activity in the state. And the Attorney General would be able to issue cease-and-desist orders to those third parties, as well.
So, essentially, HB883 codifies what the Attorney General and governor have already asserted state law implies — that dual-currency sweepstakes gaming using Sweeps Coins is illegal.
HB883 has also already been assigned to the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. It doesn’t yet have a hearing scheduled.
What is the current sweeps climate in Louisiana?
Again, most of the well-known sweepstakes casinos have already left Louisiana or at least stopped offering Sweeps Coin games. That shift has largely been driven by Louisiana Gaming Control Board and Attorney General’s office issuing cease-and-desists to nearly 40 sweeps operators in June, along with Gov. Jeff Landry’s firm stance that existing law already makes sweepstakes gaming illegal. (Which is the whole reason he vetoed a sweeps ban bill, Senate Bill 181, last year after the state legislature passed it.)
Here’s what Attorney General Liz Murrill said about the topic in July:
“Some of these platforms, including so-called ‘sweepstakes’ or ‘social casino’ sites, may offer real-money payouts, use dual-currency or coin-based systems, or offer material prizes such as gift cards, all under the false appearance of legality and trying to compare themselves with legitimate sweepstakes, like that of McDonald’s or Starbucks. … [O]nline casino, bingo, keno, iGaming, and alleged sweepstakes or social gaming sites offering such games are operating illegally in Louisiana.”
On top of that, in September, the Louisiana Department of Revenue sued VGW (the owner of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker, LuckyLand Casino, and United Slots) and MW Services Limited (the owner of WOW Vegas) over what it claims is $44 million in unpaid sales taxes, interest, and other penalties.
With this already existing anti-sweeps climate, Louisiana lawmakers appear to be mounting a crackdown on the industry with HB53 and HB883 — one that could position the state as one of the most anti-sweeps jurisdictions in the U.S.
