Louisiana Sweepstakes Casino Ban Takes Effect Aug. 1

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By lines

July 20, 2026

The Louisiana sweepstakes casino ban takes effect on August 1, 2026. Players now have under two weeks to redeem Sweeps Coins. Governor Jeff Landry signed two laws, HB 53 and HB 883, in May 2026.

This content is for informational purposes only. Terms and eligibility vary by state.

How Louisiana’s Sweepstakes Casino Ban Works

HB 883 classifies dual-currency sweepstakes games as illegal online gambling in Louisiana. HB 883 passed the Louisiana House 98 to 0 on April 14, 2026. HB 883 targets operators, game suppliers, geolocation vendors, promoters, and media affiliates. Violators of HB 883 face fines up to $40,000 and five years in prison. Each accepted wager counts as a separate violation, according to SBC Americas.

HB 53 adds electronic sweepstakes gaming to Louisiana’s racketeering statute. Representative Bryan Fontenot authored HB 53 as the nation’s first sweepstakes racketeering measure. Racketeering penalties in Louisiana reach $1 million in fines and 50 years in prison. Louisiana racketeering charges carry heavier penalties than illegal gambling charges.

Governor Jeff Landry vetoed an earlier ban, Senate Bill 181, in 2025. Landry argued that existing Louisiana law already gave prosecutors enough authority. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Attorney General sent cease-and-desist notices to nearly 40 operators. HB 53 and HB 883 now write the prohibition directly into Louisiana law.

The August 1 start date leaves Louisiana players under two weeks to redeem Sweeps Coins. Unredeemed balances can be forfeited once operators block Louisiana accounts. Chumba Casino and WOW Vegas have exited other states before enforcement deadlines. Louisiana joins Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Oklahoma, and Tennessee among 2026 sweepstakes restrictions.