Indiana appears poised to become the seventh state to prohibit sweepstakes casinos, following the passage of a bill through a conference committee on Monday. The legislation, known as HB 1052, requires approval from both the House and Senate before it can be presented to Governor Mike Braun for final consent. This legislative activity highlights a broader trend as states like Mississippi and Maine also consider similar prohibitions against sweepstakes casinos.
The Indiana Senate’s recent approval of HB 1052, by a vote of 37-8, included an amendment affecting tobacco and electronic cigarette wholesalers, which necessitated conference committee discussions. Minor changes were made to the bill during a brief committee meeting, after which it was returned to both legislative chambers for final consideration. Earlier this month, the House had already passed a previous version of this legislation with a vote of 86-12. Along with banning sweepstakes operations, the bill seeks to empower the Indiana Gaming Commission with greater enforcement capabilities against unlicensed gambling activities.
This legislative momentum follows a spate of similar actions last year, when six states enacted bans on sweepstakes casinos, and several state regulators issued cease-and-desist orders to noncompliant operators. The trend continues this week with upcoming hearings on prohibition bills in Florida and Tennessee.
In Mississippi, the Senate has once again passed legislation prohibiting sweepstakes casinos, through SB 2104, which makes the operation or promotion of these casinos a felony, carrying penalties of up to $100,000. This comes after last year’s unsuccessful attempt to pass a similar bill that was amended to include contentious online sports betting provisions, causing a legislative deadlock. The Mississippi Gaming Commission had also previously issued cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators.
Meanwhile, in Maine, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs advanced LD 2007, a bill aimed at banning sweepstakes casinos, with an 8-2 vote following a work session last week. Introduced by Senator Craig Hickman in December, the bill will now proceed to the Senate floor for further consideration. This development occurs as Maine also moves toward legalizing online casinos, following a January bill signed by Governor Janet Mills, granting exclusive rights to the state’s four tribes.
Elsewhere, the Illinois House Gaming Committee has moved forward with HB 4171, a bill designed to prevent cities from imposing their own sports betting taxes. This action follows Chicago’s implementation of a 10.25% sports betting tax earlier this year. Committee chair Rep. Dan Didech proposed the bill in response to the city’s tax initiative, which comes amid broader fiscal changes, including a new tiered sports betting tax rate established in 2024.
In other legislative activities across the United States, Alaska’s lawmakers are poised to discuss HB 145, a proposal to legalize online sports betting, which would permit up to 10 sportsbooks to operate in the state. Meanwhile, a decision on Washington’s SB 6137, which aims to allow betting on in-state college sports and enable broader sportsbook access on tribal lands, is expected soon.
Additionally, in South Dakota, the state House committee is set to review SJ 504, a bill that would legalize online sports betting statewide. Passed by the Senate earlier this month, the legislation, if approved by the House, would be placed on the 2026 ballot for voter consideration. South Dakotans had previously endorsed sports betting in 2020, but it remains restricted to in-person wagers at Deadwood casinos.
As these legislative efforts continue to unfold, the outcomes will significantly impact market operations, regulatory frameworks, and the competitive landscape for gambling operators. The focus now shifts to the final votes in each state’s legislative process, with potential enforcement dates and regulatory reviews awaiting those measures that successfully pass.
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