Legislators in Pennsylvania and Wyoming both want to see sweepstakes casinos banned in their states.
Wyoming’s Select Committee on Gaming sent draft 27LSO-0098 to the Legislature’s Management Council ahead of the 2027 session. The Management Council will decide whether it will sponsor the bill or not.
While Wyoming does not have a legal online casino industry to protect, Pennsylvania does. Banning sweepstakes is part of a larger gaming bill, HB 2801, which includes language to fine sweeps operators up to $500,000 per violation.
Pennsylvania’s 2026 session runs through Nov. 30. Bills do not carry over to 2027.
Inside Wyoming’s sweepstakes ban
The draft defines an online casino or sweepstakes game as any game, contest or promotion that meets all of the following:
- Is offered for play or conducted over the internet.
- Involves risking property or a “representative of value,” such as any type of currency, free-play, promotional-play or entry for the chance or opportunity to obtain property.
- Enables a person to engage in gambling or simulates gambling.
- Isn’t already excluded from the state’s definition of gambling or authorized by state or federal law.
The draft would include online casinos and sweepstakes as professional gambling in Wyoming, which already carries felony charges and up to three years in prison. It also further defined the “professional gambling” term, going further than just including a player:
“Operating an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, or knowingly providing services for the purpose of operating, offering or promoting an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, including geolocation services, payment processing, server hosting, platform services, gaming content, data services, promotion or advertising. This subparagraph shall not apply to a person’s participation in an online casino or sweepstakes game solely as a player.”
The Management Council’s next meeting is expected in mid to late November or early December.
Draft suggesting legalization dies
A competing draft that would have authorized sweepstakes, 27LSO-0200, failed to advance at the end of Monday’s meeting.
That draft would have regulated sweeps with a 21+ age limit, geolocation, one account per player, self-exclusion and spending controls.
PA’s sweepstakes ban proposal
Rep. Russ Diamond introduced language that would make it “unlawful for a person or entity to operate, conduct or promote online sweepstakes games” in Pennsylvania.
The bill defines an online sweepstakes game as one available online that does both of the following:
- Utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange for or win a prize, award, cash or cash equivalent.
- Simulates casino-style gaming.
- Covers slot machine, interactive game, table game, including blackjack, roulette, craps or poker, or lottery games, including draw games, instant win games, keno, bingo or sports wagering.
Violators would face a fine of $50,000 to $500,000 for each violation, along with revocation of a gaming license and a ban from receiving one. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board may conduct investigations, hold hearings and issue subpoenas and cease-and-desist orders to ensure compliance.
The Attorney General could also investigate alleged violations, with or without the PGCB.
HB 2801 sits in the House Gaming Oversight Committee and has not received a hearing.
