Sweepstakes Casinos Legal Status by State (2026)
Updated September 2026
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in most of the United States because they run under sweepstakes law, not gambling law - but a handful of states have banned or restricted them. This tracker is updated whenever a bill passes or an operator exits a state.
23
Legal states
17
Restricted
10
Banned
- LegalGenerally allowed to play
- RestrictedLimited or under scrutiny
- BannedNot available
- AlabamaLegalNo statute or regulator targets sweepstakes casinos, but loss-recovery class actions have pushed some brands out
- AlaskaLegalNo Alaska law addresses sweepstakes casinos; with no casinos or lottery, they remain the main online option in the state
- ArizonaRestrictedNo statute bans them, but the Department of Gaming has ordered Stake.us, Pulsz, High 5 and others out since 2025
- ArkansasLegalNo Arkansas law targets sweepstakes casinos; a 2025 bill pairing a ban with online casinos was withdrawn within weeks
- CaliforniaLimitedAB 831 bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos from January 1, 2026; only alternative-model sites still accept players
- ColoradoLegalNo Colorado law or regulator action targets sweepstakes casinos; 2026 bills focused on sports betting rules instead
- ConnecticutBannedPublic Act 25-112 (SB 1235) made running a sweepstakes casino a felony from October 1, 2025; the major brands have left
- DelawareBannedRegulators treat sweepstakes casinos as illegal gambling; VGW was forced out in April 2025 and other brands followed
- FloridaLimitedStill open to Floridians with $5,000 redemption caps under the game promotion law; the AG sued Stake and VGW in 2026
- GeorgiaLegalNo Georgia statute, bill or enforcement action targets sweepstakes casinos; every major brand accepts players
- HawaiiLegalNo law targets sweepstakes casinos in a state with zero legal gambling; SB 3281 stalled in the House in March 2026
- IdahoNo Cash-OutSweeps Coins redemption is blocked for Idaho residents; sites offer Gold Coin play only under Idaho Code 18-3801
- IllinoisWatchIGB and AG sent 65 cease-and-desist letters in Feb 2026 and call the model illegal; most brands still accept players
- IndianaBannedHB 1052 bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos from July 1, 2026; major brands have left, only Gold Coin play remains
- IowaWatchSF 2289 lets the Racing and Gaming Commission issue cease-and-desist orders from July 1, 2026; several brands have left
- KansasLegalNo Kansas statute, bill or enforcement action targets sweepstakes casinos; every major brand accepts players
- KentuckyRestrictedNo ban, but 30+ brands exclude Kentucky over its loss-recovery law, and the AG sued VGW (Chumba) in June 2026
- LouisianaBannedHB 883 (Act 182) bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos from August 1, 2026; the major brands left in 2025
- MaineBannedLD 2007 bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos from July 14, 2026; tribal online casinos are coming instead
- MarylandRestrictedNo ban yet, but Lottery and Gaming cease-and-desist letters have pushed many brands out; ban bills return in 2027
- MassachusettsLegalLegal and available; the only ban bill so far (H.4431) was sent to study in March 2026
- MichiganBannedNo statute, but the Gaming Control Board treats sweepstakes casinos as unlicensed gaming and every major brand has left
- MinnesotaWatchAvailable today, but the Senate passed a ban 62-3 in April 2026 and the Attorney General has ordered operators out
- MississippiRestrictedNo ban yet, but the Gaming Commission calls the sites illegal, VGW has left and the Senate passed bans in 2025 and 2026
- MissouriLegalLegal and available; no bill or regulator targets sweepstakes casinos, though a lawsuit against Stake.us is pending
- MontanaBannedSB 555 outlawed online casinos, sweepstakes sites included, from October 1, 2025; every major operator has left
- NebraskaLegalNo Nebraska statute or bill targets sweepstakes casinos; the major brands accept Nebraska players
- NevadaBannedNevada treats sweepstakes casinos as unlicensed gaming; SB 256 (2025) made it a felony with profit disgorgement
- New HampshireLegalNo New Hampshire law or bill targets sweepstakes casinos; the major brands accept Granite State players at 18+
- New JerseyBannedA5447, signed August 15, 2025, bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos; every operator has left New Jersey
- New MexicoLegalNo New Mexico statute or bill targets sweepstakes casinos; the Gaming Control Board licenses no online gambling
- New YorkLimitedDual-currency sweepstakes casinos banned since December 5, 2025 (Chapter 605); only alternative-model sites still accept players
- North CarolinaLegalNo North Carolina law or bill targets online sweepstakes casinos; the 2010 sweepstakes ban covers physical machines
- North DakotaLegalNo North Dakota statute, bill or enforcement action targets sweepstakes casinos; the major brands accept players
- OhioLegalLegal and unrestricted; HB 298 would ban the model alongside legal iGaming but has stalled since 2025
- OklahomaWatchSB 1589 bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos from November 1, 2026; sites still accept players until then
- OregonLegalLegal and unrestricted; no Oregon bill or regulator action targets sweepstakes casinos as of September 2026
- PennsylvaniaRestrictedPGCB calls sweepstakes casinos illegal online gambling and has forced 18+ brands out; very few sites still serve PA
- Rhode IslandLegalLegal and unrestricted; the Rhode Island Lottery has targeted offshore sportsbooks, not sweepstakes casinos
- South CarolinaLegalLegal despite some of the strictest gambling laws in the US; no bill or enforcement targets the model
- South DakotaLegalLegal and unrestricted; a 2025 Commission on Gaming warning targeted fake online casinos, not sweepstakes sites
- TennesseeLimitedSB 2136 bans dual-currency sweepstakes casinos since May 2026; only alternative-model sites still accept players
- TexasLegalLegal; Texas has no law targeting the model, SB 517 died in 2025 and the Legislature does not sit again until 2027
- UtahLimitedHB 243 (effective May 6, 2026) treats casino-style promotions as fringe gambling; only some sites still accept Utah
- VermontLegalNo Vermont statute or regulator targets sweepstakes casinos; 13 V.S.A. 2143b expressly allows free-entry sweepstakes
- VirginiaLegalLegal today, but 2026 iGaming bills carrying a sweepstakes ban passed both chambers before dying in conference
- WashingtonBannedOnline gambling is a class C felony (RCW 9.46.240) and virtual chips count as things of value; every brand blocks WA
- West VirginiaRestrictedNo ban, but Attorney General subpoenas since January 2025 pushed out most brands, including VGW in November 2025
- WisconsinLegalNo Wisconsin bill or enforcement targets sweepstakes casinos; 2026 lawmaking focused on tribal online sports betting
- WyomingWatchAvailable, but the Gaming Commission calls the sites illegal and lawmakers are drafting a felony ban for 2027
Why sweepstakes casinos are legal in most states
Sweepstakes casinos rely on a legal model that has been used by fast-food promotions and magazine giveaways for decades. As long as there is a free method of entry - no purchase necessary - and prizes are awarded by chance, the promotion is a sweepstakes rather than gambling. Sweepstakes casinos meet that standard by giving Sweeps Coins away for free with every Gold Coin purchase, through daily bonuses and via mail-in requests.
States that have banned sweepstakes casinos
A growing number of states have passed laws that specifically prohibit "dual-currency" online sweepstakes. Where a ban is in force, operators geoblock residents and disable redemptions. Attempting to bypass location checks results in account closure and forfeiture of any balance.
How we track changes
We monitor state legislatures, attorney-general actions and operator terms of service. When a bill passes, an operator exits a state or a redemption cap is introduced, we update the state's status here and adjust which casinos appear in that state's list - usually the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "restricted" mean?
The activity is not banned outright, but regulators have taken action against some operators or several brands have chosen to leave the state. Availability varies casino by casino, so check the state page for the casinos that accept players there.
Can I use a VPN to play from a banned state?
No. Casinos verify your location at redemption and will close accounts that appear to be circumventing state restrictions. Any balance is forfeited.
How old do I have to be?
At least 18 in most states, and 21 in some. Individual casinos may set a higher minimum age than the state requires.