Maine Targets Sweeps With New Bill as Gov. Hochul Officially Greenlights NY Ban

Sweepstakes casino operators on the East Coast can’t seem to get a breather.

After Connecticut signed SB1235 into law in June 2025 and New Jersey redefined illegal gambling to target sweeps, operators face another wave of bad news.

On December 3rd, a bill banning online sweepstakes operators was filed in Maine. Then, two days after, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul finally signed Senate Bill 5935, ending weeks of speculation. New York now joins New Jersey, Connecticut, Montana, and California in banning sweepstakes casinos.

Maine Moves to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

Maine recently filed Legislative Document 2007 (LD 2007), which aims to ban sweepstakes casinos by targeting its dual-currency model. Here’s what we know so far:

• LD 2007, sponsored by Senator Craig Hickman, aims to redefine gaming laws and create statutes focused on online sweepstakes games.
• The bill defined ‘online sweepstakes games’ as any internet-based promo that runs on the dual-currency system, with casino-style outcomes across devices.
• It targets “direct” and “indirect” consideration, for outright purchases of tokens to the practice of bundling non-redeemable coins with redeemable entries or products.
• Assigns authority to the Gambling Control Unit to further define the dual-currency model.

It’s Sweeps Casino Ban in NY

After nearly six months' worth of waiting time, Gov. Hochul finally signed SB5935, ordering the immediate ban of sweepstakes casinos.

A few popular operators have already exited the state, including VGW, which runs LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker, and Chumba Casino.

Now that the law’s in full swing, operators face strict rules and penalties, including a fine of up to $100,000.

Like Maine’s bill, New York’s SB5935 assigns the authority to its state gaming regulator, the New Your State Gaming Commission. The state’s gaming commission has the sole power to define and regulate the dual-currency model.

REFERENCES:

• New York’s SB5935
• Maine’s LD 2007