Indiana has actually enacted legislation targeting online sweepstakes-style casino platforms, marking another state-level move versus dual-currency video gaming models. House Bill 1052 has now been signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun, introducing penalties for operators who offer certain online sweepstakes games to Indiana citizens.
- Indiana has actually enacted House Bill 1052, targeting online sweepstakes-style gambling establishment platforms that utilize dual-currency systems.
- The law specifies these platforms as internet-based video games mimicing gambling establishment or lottery products.
- The legislation works July 1, 2026, and faced opposition from the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance.
Under the measure, sweepstakes are specified as internet-based video games that mimic gambling establishment or lotto items, using dual - or multi-currency systems that can be exchanged for prizes or cash equivalents. The Indiana Gaming Commission will also have the power to impose considerable civil charges of up to $100,000 on operators who purposefully take part in such activities within the state.
Before making its way to the Governor's desk, it had passed your 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 measure's passage.
The legislation has also faced organized opposition throughout its journey through the legislature, especially from the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which unsuccessfully urged lawmakers to manage social-plus video gaming instead of forbid it outright.
The law enters into impact on July 1, 2026. Indiana joins the likes of Connecticut and Montana, which have currently banned sweepstakes gambling establishments.
Other states advance anti-sweepstakes bills
Legislative action targeting sweepstakes casinos is also speeding up somewhere else. Tennessee and Oklahoma just recently advanced expenses through their state senates that target comparable dual-currency online video gaming platforms.
In Tennessee, Senate Bill 2136 approaches the issue through customer protection law. The bill specifies online sweepstakes video games as internet gaming that utilizes virtual currencies to enable gamers to exchange that currency for prizes, cash, or cash equivalents, or just the possibility to win them.
The proposal puts these activities within the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, allowing infractions to be classified as unfair or deceptive practices.
SB 2136 now transfers to the Tennessee Legislature. Lawmakers are also considering a companion step, House Bill 1885, which might be merged into the Senate bill if both chambers approve similar language.
Oklahoma is pursuing a more stringent criminal approach. Senate Bill 1589 amends the state's gambling statutes to clearly include online casino-style video games. The costs expands liability to business providing services to sweepstakes operators, including geolocation service providers, video gaming suppliers, platform hosts, promoters, and media affiliates.
Violations would be categorized as Class C2 felonies, bring fines between $500 and $2,000 and possible jail time. The bill now advances to the Oklahoma Legislature, where legislators are examining a related proposition that has actually currently cleared 2 committees.
