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Indiana Governor Signs Sweepstakes Casino Ban

Indiana has enacted legislation targeting online sweepstakes-style casino platforms, marking another state-level move versus dual-currency gaming designs. House Bill 1052 has actually now been signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun, presenting penalties for operators who offer specific online sweepstakes games to Indiana locals.
- Indiana has actually enacted House Bill 1052, targeting online sweepstakes-style gambling establishment platforms that use dual-currency systems.
- The law defines these platforms as internet-based games simulating casino or lottery products.
- The legislation takes result July 1, 2026, and faced opposition from the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance.
Under the measure, sweepstakes are specified as internet-based video games that imitate casino or lotto items, utilizing double - or multi-currency systems that can be exchanged for rewards or cash equivalents. The Indiana Gaming Commission will likewise have the power to impose considerable civil penalties of approximately $100,000 on operators who intentionally participate in such activities within the state.
Before making its method to the desk, it had passed the House on Feb. 2 with a vote of 87-11, and after that followed with a Senate vote on Feb. 17, which saw 37-8 in favor of the step's passage.
The legislation has also dealt with organized opposition during its journey through the legislature, particularly from the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which unsuccessfully advised legislators to regulate social-plus gaming rather than forbid it outright.
The law enters into impact on July 1, 2026. Indiana signs up with the likes of Connecticut and Montana, which have actually already banned sweepstakes gambling establishments.
Other states advance anti-sweepstakes bills
Legislative action targeting sweepstakes casinos is also speeding up elsewhere. Tennessee and Oklahoma just recently advanced expenses through their state senates that target similar dual-currency online video gaming platforms.
In Tennessee, Senate Bill 2136 approaches the concern through customer protection law. The expense specifies online sweepstakes games as internet gambling that utilizes virtual currencies to permit players to exchange that currency for rewards, money, or cash equivalents, or just the possibility to win them.
The proposition places these activities within the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, enabling violations to be classified as unfair or misleading practices.
SB 2136 now transfers to the Tennessee House of Representatives. Lawmakers are also considering a companion procedure, House Bill 1885, which might be combined into the Senate costs if both chambers authorize similar language.
Oklahoma is pursuing a stricter criminal method. Senate Bill 1589 amends the state's gaming statutes to explicitly include online casino-style games. The costs broadens liability to companies offering services to sweepstakes operators, consisting of geolocation suppliers, video gaming suppliers, platform hosts, promoters, and media affiliates.
Violations would be classified as Class C2 felonies, carrying fines between $500 and $2,000 and possible jail time. The bill now advances to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where lawmakers are reviewing a related proposal that has currently cleared two committees.