Sweepstakes Casinos Exit Iowa Before July 1 Crackdown

Sweepstakes casino operators are exiting Iowa before July 1, 2026 enforcement powers take effect. High 5 Casino will close Iowa operations on June 28, 2026. Baba Casino and Lucky Bunny Casino are restricting Iowa player accounts now.

What the Iowa Sweepstakes Crackdown Changes

Iowa Senate File 2289 lets the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission target unlicensed sweepstakes operators. Governor Kim Reynolds signed Iowa Senate File 2289 on May 15, 2026. Iowa Senate File 2289 grants cease and desist and injunctive relief powers from July 1, 2026. Iowa took a narrower route than Indiana, which enacted a full sweepstakes ban. Indiana House Bill 1052 bans sweepstakes casinos statewide on July 1, 2026.

High 5 Casino set June 28, 2026 as the Iowa closure date for players. Baba Casino and Lucky Bunny Casino told Iowa players that accounts face restriction. VGW brand Chumba Casino and rival Stake.us made no public Iowa announcement. Indiana operators including McLuck, Hello Millions, PlayFame, and SpinBlitz confirmed July 1 exits. Mega Bonanza, Jackpota, and ACE Casino also confirmed Indiana exits effective July 1, 2026.

Iowa and Indiana join California, Maine, New York, Louisiana, and Tennessee in 2026 restrictions. More than 17 states have introduced or passed sweepstakes casino legislation since January 2026. The American Gaming Association has urged state legislatures to act against sweepstakes casino operators. Iowa players should redeem outstanding sweepstakes coin balances before July 1, 2026 access cutoffs. Most sweepstakes casino terms of service give operators discretion over balances after a state exit.