A wave of legislation addressing online sweepstakes hit US state legislatures this year, and while some bills have died for the session, others are still making progress.
A few of the online sweepstakes casino bills saw early action, such as in Mississippi, where the Senate became the first chamber to pass legislation banning the operators. However, the legislation was caught up in a debate to expand sports betting online and died in a conference committee.
“The defeat of these bills continues a clear national trend,” said a spokesperson for the Social and Promotional Games Association following the withdrawal of Florida legislation earlier this month. “In the past few weeks, similar bills have been rejected in Arkansas, Maryland, and Mississippi.
“Lawmakers across the country are rejecting these anti-innovation, anti-business efforts that attempt to dictate what games American adults can play on their phones.”
As the spokesperson mentioned in the comment following Florida’s sweepstakes legislation withdrawal, bills in Arkansas and Maryland also fizzled out without passage. Here is a state-by-state look at active sweepstakes legislation.
Connecticut sweepstakes bill
Connecticut lawmakers introduced SB 1235 in February. The bill would prohibit “real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering” by sweepstakes platforms.
Multiple committees reported favorably on the bill as it awaits full Senate chamber action.
The legislative session runs until June 4.
Louisiana pushes forward
The Louisiana Senate passed its sweepstakes prohibition bill with a 39-0 vote last month.
SB 181 would expand the criminal definition of “gambling by computer” to include dual-currency sweepstakes operators.
The bill now waits for the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. Louisiana’s legislative session runs until June 12.
New Jersey committee takes action
The New Jersey Assembly’s Tourism Gaming and Arts Committee sent forward A5447 last week. The bill sat idle for two months before last week’s action.
A5447 would outlaw platforms that use virtual currency but offer real cash prizes. There are still multiple committee stops for the bill.
The New Jersey legislature does not adjourn until Dec. 31.
NY takes a look at sweepstakes operators
Heading into the session, both legislators overseeing gaming committees introduced bills prohibiting online sweepstakes: S5935 and AB6745.
Sen. Joseph Addabbo, a key figure in the passage of NY sports betting, has guided his bill to the Senate floor. The House bill is still in committee.
An amendment to Addabbo’s bill would give the NY State Gaming Commission more independence in what is defined as a dual-currency sweepstakes system.
New York’s legislative session runs until June 12.
Montana waits for governor’s signature
The Montana legislature has slipped SB 555 all the way through to Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk. The bill would prohibit sweepstakes operators in the state.
SB 555 does not use the word “sweepstakes,” however. It amends the definition of online gambling to include “knowingly transmits or receives gambling information, allows customers to place a bet or wager using any form of currency, and makes payouts of any form of currency.”
With that language, free-to-play casinos are allowed.
