Sweepstakes Casino Bans Stall in Several 2026 States

Casino

By lines

June 8, 2026

Sweepstakes casino operators kept legal access in several states after 2026 ban bills stalled. Minnesota lawmakers closed their 2026 session without enacting Senate File 4474.

Where 2026 Sweepstakes Casino Ban Bills Failed

Minnesota Senate File 4474 passed the Minnesota Senate on April 30, 2026. The Minnesota House companion bill, House File 4410, never reached a floor vote. Sweepsy reported that SF4474 targeted payment processors, geolocation providers, and media affiliates. Minnesota now permits sweepstakes casino play because Senate File 4474 did not become law.

Virginia ended its 2026 session on March 14 without passing Senate Bill 118 or House Bill 161. Casino Reports noted Senate Bill 118 paired iGaming authorization with an online sweepstakes ban. A Virginia conference committee never reported the measure for a final vote. Florida also closed its 2026 session before any sweepstakes ban bill advanced.

Massachusetts sent House Bill 4431 to study on March 16, 2026, ending it for the session. A study referral in Massachusetts stops a bill without a direct vote. Maryland passed House Bills 295 and 1226 through its House in March 2026. Those Maryland bills stalled in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee before the April 13 adjournment.

Six states enacted sweepstakes bans during 2026, including Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The failed bills in Minnesota and Maryland show uneven results across state legislatures. Operators that exited California now weigh which markets stay open. Players should confirm current rules because sweepstakes casino legality shifts by state and by month.