Sweepsy News: Trends and Headlines Driving the Sweeps Market

A cartoon representation of a personified piece of legislation titled HB1052 waving goodbye to the INDIANA HOUSE and walking toward an open door leading to the INDIANA SENATE using a vibrant yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Legal

Indiana House Passes Bill Banning Sweepstakes Casinos

House Bill 1052 now heads to the Indiana Senate, which must decide whether to impose civil penalties on sweepstakes casinos in their...

Matthew Bain

February 2, 2026

A cartoon representation of the quote: “We are aware of the serious charges made against Mr. Escalante. These are unrelated to VGW and personal in nature. However, we can confirm Mr. Escalante will be taking a leave of absence ... " using a vibrant, yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Industry News

VGW Founder & CEO Laurence Escalante Faces Criminal Charges in Australia, Taking Leave Of Absence

Australian billionaire, VGW founder Laurence Escalante faces assault, burglary, and drug charges as company confirms CEO's leave of...

Mike Breen

January 30, 2026

A cartoon representation of a neutral-faced stick figure stamping the word RACKETEERING on a smartphone playing a sweeps casino game using a vibrant, blue, yellow, and white color scheme.

Legal

Louisiana Pre-Files Bill To Classify Offering Sweeps Casinos As Racketeering

Louisiana lawmakers target sweepstakes casinos with HB53, adding sweeps gaming to racketeering law and sharply raising criminal...

Jason Brow

January 30, 2026

A cartoon representation of a state outline of Virginia with a green checkmark next to the phrase FIRST COMMITTEE? with online casino symbols using a vibrant yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Legal

After Amendment, Virginia Bill Legalizing iGaming & Banning Sweeps Clears First Committee

Virginia lawmakers advance SB118, legislation that legalizes iGaming, boosts Lottery oversight, and cracks down on sweeps...

Jason Brow

January 29, 2026

A cartoon representation of a stick figure on a boat with Hawaii in the distance fishing and we see the hook underwater almost hooking a fish that says ILLEGAL TABLE GAMES and in the distance there's also a fish that says SWEEPS CASINOS, TOO? using a vibrant blue, yellow, and white color scheme.

Legal

Hawaii Introduces Bill That Could Raise Questions For Sweeps Casinos

Hawaii lawmakers target illegal table games, but broad language referencing sweepstakes machines may raise questions for the sweeps...

Jason Brow

January 29, 2026

A cartoon representation of some stick figures in Maryland saying NO TO SWEEPS! and others saying YES TO SWEEPS! using a vibrant, yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Legal

VGW, SGLA Testify Against Sweeps Ban Bill In Maryland Senate

Sweepstakes industry warns SB112 would ban lawful online gaming, drive operators out, and leave Maryland consumers to offshore...

Erin Flynn Jay

January 29, 2026

A cartoon representation of a relieved looking stick figure wearing an INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER shirt standing on one side of a state outline of Mississippi that's labeled SAFE and then a worried looking stick figure wearing a SWEEPS CASINO shirt standing on the other side of a state outline of Mississippi that's labeled NOT SAFE using a vibrant, blue, yellow, and white color scheme.

Legal

Judiciary Committee Amends, Approves Mississippi Sweeps Ban Bill

A Mississippi committee approved and amended SB2104, advancing a sweepstakes casino ban while also adding new safe-harbor protections for companies like internet service...

Matthew Bain

January 28, 2026

A cartoon representation of a sizzling pan that has FLIFF CASH written in it cooking on a front burner and a smaller sizzling pan that has FLIFF COINS written in it sitting way back on a back burner that's labeled BACK BURNER using a vibrant, yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Industry News

Fliff Changes Look Of Purchase Options In Fliff Cash Mode

Fliff just flipped the script on its in-app shop, spotlighting Fliff Cash over Fliff Coins when players are in Fliff Cash mode. The move isn’t illegal — but in today’s sweepstakes...

Matthew Bain

January 27, 2026

A cartoon representation of a happy stick figure wearing an Iowa badge and holding a sign that says HI, CAN I PLEASE SEND CEASE AND DESISTS? using a vibrant, blue, yellow, and white color scheme.

Legal

Iowa Bill Paving Way For Sweeps Cease-And-Desists Set For Jan. 29 Hearing

An Iowa bill headed to its first hearing would empower gaming regulators to shut down sweepstakes casinos with cease-and-desist...

Matthew Bain

January 27, 2026

A cartoon representation of a personified state outline of Virginia holding up a giant boombox with the phrase GIVE ME A 2ND CHANCE on it using a vibrant, yellow, blue, and white color scheme.

Legal

After Setback, Virginia’s Sweeps Ban Bill Gets Another Hearing

Virginia’s iGaming bill hit a setback but isn’t dead yet, as lawmakers will reconsider Senate Bill 118 — which also bans sweepstakes...

Jason Brow

January 26, 2026

A cartoon representation of a stressed stick figure lawmaker looking down at their desk with two buttons to push — one says DUAL and the other says MULTIPLE — and they're not sure which to press, using a vibrant, blue, yellow, and white color scheme.

Legal

Is New ‘Multiple’ Currency Language In Sweeps Ban Bills A Smart Move?

As states move from “dual currency” to “multiple currency” language to crack down on sweeps casinos, do other gaming models slip...

Matthew Bain

January 26, 2026

Featured

ARB Interactive Founder Working With States To File Sweepstakes Modernization Acts

ARB Interactive founder Patrick Fechtmeyer explains to Sweepsy why he’s partnering with states to rewrite outdated sweepstakes laws for the digital...

Matthew Bain

January 22, 2026

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