The Indiana House committee that approved an online casino bill last year is considering the same language in 2026.
The Indiana House Public Policy Committee met Tuesday to discuss various gaming issues, including an amendment to an administrative bill that would legalize online casino games in the state.
HB 1052 from Chairman Ethan Manning includes language that would ban sweepstakes casinos, though there was also discussion around potentially regulating the industry. The committee did not take a vote on the bill or act on any of the amendments in the nearly three-hour hearing.
Manning’s other bill from Tuesday’s hearing, HB 1078 to legalize online lottery games as long as they do not resemble casino games, passed out of committee by a 9-3 vote.
Any work on the legislation has to happen relatively fast as Indiana’s legislature adjourns Feb. 27.
Online casino bill failed in 2025
Manning’s 2025 bill never received a vote in the Ways and Means Committee despite the House speaker and Senate president pro tempore indicating that they were open to legalizing online casinos.
“I think, you know, just trying to find something there was some consensus on, felt like it was a pretty tough spot to be,” House Speaker Todd Huston told local media.
Last year’s bill also included the online lottery language that was broken out into HB 1078 this year.
Gambling regulator wants to act on sweeps
The Indiana Gaming Commission would have tackled sweepstakes operators already if it had the ability.
IGC Legislative Liaison Nate Friend confirmed to the committee that cease-and-desist letters would have already been sent to sweepstakes operators if it could. Natalie Huffman, general counsel at the IGC, said the sweepstakes operators are not technically breaking the law.
The sweepstakes industry had multiple supporters at the hearing, including representatives from ARB Interactive and VGW as well as Sean Ostrow, the managing director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance. Ostrow admitted the laws sweepstakes casinos are operating under are “antiquated” but said Indiana could be a leader in regulating the sweepstakes industry.
Rep. Ed Clere likened sweepstakes casinos and its relationship to regulated online casinos to how Delta 8, a less-potent cannabinoid derived from hemp that is legal at the federal level, compares to THC.
