Sweepstakes Casinos: Legal States in 2026 (US Map)
As of May 2026: Sweepstakes casinos are legal in 26 US states plus Washington D.C., banned in 11 states (CA, CT, ID, LA, MI, MT, NV, NJ, NY, TN, WA), restricted in 10 states, and ban legislation is pending in 3 states (IN, ME, OK).
Updated May 3, 2026 · Sources: Sweepsy, casino.org, Covers.com
Interactive Map — Click a State to Jump to Its Details
Click any state to scroll to its details below. Hover for status.
All 50 States — Sweepstakes Casino Legal Status
Click column headers to sort. Filter by state name or status. Click a state name to jump to its full details below.
| State ↑ | Status ↕ |
|---|---|
| AlabamaAL | Legal |
| AlaskaAK | Legal |
| ArizonaAZ | Restricted |
| ArkansasAR | Legal |
| CaliforniaCA | Banned |
| ColoradoCO | Legal |
| ConnecticutCT | Banned |
| DelawareDE | Restricted |
| FloridaFL | Legal |
| GeorgiaGA | Legal |
| HawaiiHI | Legal |
| IdahoID | Banned |
| IllinoisIL | Restricted |
| IndianaIN | Ban Pending |
| IowaIA | Legal |
| KansasKS | Legal |
| KentuckyKY | Restricted |
| LouisianaLA | Banned |
| MaineME | Ban Pending |
| MarylandMD | Restricted |
| MassachusettsMA | Legal |
| MichiganMI | Banned |
| MinnesotaMN | Restricted |
| MississippiMS | Restricted |
| MissouriMO | Legal |
| MontanaMT | Banned |
| NebraskaNE | Legal |
| NevadaNV | Banned |
| New HampshireNH | Legal |
| New JerseyNJ | Banned |
| New MexicoNM | Legal |
| New YorkNY | Banned |
| North CarolinaNC | Legal |
| North DakotaND | Legal |
| OhioOH | Legal |
| OklahomaOK | Ban Pending |
| OregonOR | Legal |
| PennsylvaniaPA | Restricted |
| Rhode IslandRI | Legal |
| South CarolinaSC | Legal |
| South DakotaSD | Legal |
| TennesseeTN | Banned |
| TexasTX | Legal |
| UtahUT | Restricted |
| VermontVT | Legal |
| VirginiaVA | Legal |
| WashingtonWA | Banned |
| Washington D.C.DC | Legal |
| West VirginiaWV | Restricted |
| WisconsinWI | Legal |
| WyomingWY | Legal |
51 of 51 jurisdictions shown
Laws change frequently — always verify before playing
This guide reflects our best understanding as of May 2026. State laws, AG enforcement actions, and individual operator policies change constantly. Always check with the specific casino you want to join and consult the laws of your state before registering. This is not legal advice.
Where Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal?
Sweepstakes casinos give consenting adults a legal path to casino-style entertainment and real prizes — without spending a dollar. They operate under the same promotional sweepstakes model used by Publishers Clearing House for decades: no purchase necessary, free method of entry always available.
The landscape has shifted significantly in 2025–2026. Nine states have now passed explicit bans (NJ, MT, NV, CT, NY, CA, IN, ME, TN), and attorney generals in IL, MN, and MD have issued cease-and-desist letters. At the same time, ban bills failed in FL, VA, MA, TX, and OH — showing the issue is far from settled nationally.
State availability also varies by operator. Stake.us, for example, restricts service in 19 states beyond the explicit bans — so even in legal states, players often look for sites like Stake.us with broader US coverage. Pulsz and Sportzino are both available in 45+ states.
We track state legislation weekly using Sweepsy's legal tracker, casino.org, and Covers.com. Last verified: May 3, 2026.
Ban Pending (3 states)
Active legislation that has been signed or cleared at least one chamber. Situation evolving rapidly.
Indiana
Signed — effective July 1, 2026Governor Mike Braun signed HB 1052 on March 12, 2026. The ban prohibits dual-currency sweepstakes platforms and takes effect July 1, 2026. The Indiana Gaming Commission can impose civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation against operators serving Indiana residents after that date.
↗ Covers.com — Indiana HB 1052 signed Mar 12Maine
Signed — effective ~July 2026Governor Janet Mills signed LD 2007 on April 6, 2026, banning dual-currency sweepstakes casinos including slots, poker, bingo, and lottery-style games. Under Maine law, the act takes effect 90 days after signing — approximately early July 2026. Civil penalties range from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation.
↗ Gambling Insider — Maine LD 2007 signed Apr 6Oklahoma
Senate passed 48-0, in HouseSB 1589 passed the Oklahoma Senate 48–0 on March 2, 2026 and advanced through the House Criminal Judiciary Committee 6–0 on April 7. The bill heads to the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee. If signed, effective November 1, 2026. Includes a tribal exemption for federally recognized tribes operating on tribal lands.
↗ Gambling Insider — Oklahoma SB 1589Banned / Illegal (11 states)
Sweepstakes casinos are prohibited by law or operators have been forced out by courts or AG action.
California
AB 831 banned sweepstakes casinos effective January 1, 2026. Most operators exited before the deadline.
Connecticut
SB 1235 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All major operators exited.
Idaho
State law prohibits cash redemption from sweepstakes gaming, effectively banning the model. Operators do not serve Idaho residents.
Louisiana
Louisiana gaming laws restrict sweepstakes casino operations. All major operators have exited the state.
Michigan
Court rulings against sweepstakes operators combined with Michigan's licensed online gaming market have pushed all major operators out.
Montana
SB 555 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All operators exited.
Nevada
SB 256 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. Ironic given Las Vegas's gambling culture, but Nevada protects its licensed casino industry.
New Jersey
A5447 banned sweepstakes casinos effective August 15, 2025. One of the earliest state bans.
New York
AB 6745 banned sweepstakes casinos effective December 5, 2025. New York has aggressively targeted unlicensed online gaming.
Tennessee
SB 2136 passed the Senate 32-0 and the House 69-17 on April 24, 2026. Governor Bill Lee signed it into law in late April 2026. The ban takes effect immediately — Tennessee amended its Consumer Protection Act to classify dual-currency sweepstakes operations as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Most major operators had already voluntarily exited before the signing.
↗ Bettors Insider — Tennessee SB 2136 signed Apr 2026Washington
Washington state law explicitly defines sweepstakes gaming as illegal gambling — a Class C felony. One of the original and strictest bans, predating the 2025–2026 wave.
Restricted / Grey Zone (10 states)
No explicit sweepstakes ban passed, but most major operators exit voluntarily due to AG enforcement pressure or broad gambling statutes.
Arizona
No explicit ban, but most major operators have voluntarily exited due to legal uncertainty.
Delaware
No explicit sweepstakes ban, but operators exit voluntarily due to Delaware's tightly regulated gaming environment.
Illinois
The Illinois AG sent cease-and-desist letters to 60+ operators in February 2026. No formal ban passed, but most major operators have exited.
Kentucky
Kentucky bans electronic sweepstakes gaming. Most operators do not serve KY residents.
Maryland
The Maryland AG has issued C&D letters. A ban bill failed in the 2026 session but regulatory pressure remains.
Minnesota
The Minnesota AG has sent C&Ds and a ban bill was introduced in 2026. Some operators have begun restricting MN registrations.
Mississippi
A ban bill has failed two years in a row, but the gaming commission continues to review operations. Some operators exit proactively.
Pennsylvania
No explicit ban, but Pennsylvania's robust real-money gaming regulation creates informal pressure and most major operators exit voluntarily.
Utah
Among the strictest anti-gambling states. No explicit sweepstakes ban, but most operators don't serve UT due to high legal risk.
West Virginia
No explicit sweepstakes ban, but operators exit voluntarily due to WV's tightly regulated gambling environment.
Fully Legal (26 states + D.C.)
Sweepstakes casinos operate freely and all major platforms serve players in these states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are sweepstakes casinos legal at all?
They operate under promotional sweepstakes law — the same model used by Publishers Clearing House. The key principle: no purchase is necessary. Because no money is risked to play, it's legally distinct from gambling in most states.
Why did Nevada ban sweepstakes casinos?
Nevada's SB 256 (effective Oct 2025) banned sweepstakes casinos to protect its licensed casino industry. Despite being home to Las Vegas, Nevada tightly regulates all gambling-adjacent activity and won't allow unlicensed online gaming competitors.
Is Connecticut banned now?
Yes. Connecticut's SB 1235 banned sweepstakes casinos effective October 1, 2025. All major operators exited. This was a surprise to many players since Connecticut had long been a legal state.
What happened to Hawaii — is it legal now?
Yes. Hawaii had a ban bill introduced in 2026, but it was deferred and did not pass. Hawaii remains legal for sweepstakes casinos as of May 2026, though the situation could change in a future session.
What happened to Tennessee and Indiana?
Both states have now banned sweepstakes casinos. Indiana's HB 1052 was signed March 12, 2026 and takes effect July 1, 2026. Tennessee's SB 2136 passed April 24, 2026 and was signed by Governor Bill Lee — effective immediately upon signing.
Can laws change quickly?
Yes — as 2025–2026 showed. Nine states passed bans in roughly 18 months. Always verify current status directly with the casino before registering.
Sources & Methodology
We monitor state legislation, attorney general enforcement actions, and operator exit announcements weekly. Data is cross-referenced across multiple tracking sources before updates are published. Last verified: May 3, 2026.
Laws change frequently — always verify before playing
This guide reflects our best understanding of sweepstakes casino legality as of May 2026. State laws, attorney general enforcement actions, and individual operator policies change constantly. Several states are in active legislative sessions right now. Always check with the specific casino you want to join and consult the laws of your state before registering. This is not legal advice.
"Restricted" = no explicit ban but most major operators have voluntarily exited or received C&D orders. "Ban Pending" = legislation signed or cleared at least one chamber. Status changes rapidly.