The battle to ban sweepstakes casinos in the United States has taken a turn.
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) is applauding lawmakers for a series of recent legislative decisions involving sweepstakes casinos.
Lawmakers across various states are rejecting attempts that the SPGA calls misguided to ban social casinos and sweepstakes casino games, recognizing these efforts as overly broad and unsupported by evidence.
These platforms allow players to participate in games like slots, poker, and blackjack for free or with virtual currency, making them accessible to a wide audience.
Arkansas Sweepstakes Casino Bill Withdrawn
In the past week, Arkansas House Bill 1861 was officially withdrawn. The bill, presented by Rep. Matt Duffield and Carlton Saffa—the chief market officer of Saracen Casino Resort—aimed to legalize online gambling for Arkansas's three licensed casinos.
HB 1861 aimed to regulate online gaming in the state and proposed making it a felony for any unregulated entities to operate online casinos. Currently, offshore casinos offer online games like blackjack, roulette, and craps. HB 1861 would allow in-state casinos to offer these games through their sports betting apps.
In short, it aimed to restrict dual-currency online gaming, granting control to licensed casino operators—a move that lawmakers did not support. However, the bill was withdrawn for further study after the committee meeting.
Maryland Bill to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos Dropped
A similar bill in Maryland that sought to ban sweepstakes casinos altogether also failed to gain traction. Senate Bill 0860 would have completely banned sweepstakes gaming, but it didn't offer any evidence showing that sweepstakes cause casino cannibalization, harm consumers, or lead to problem gambling.
According to current U.S. federal law, promotional sweepstakes must allow free entry and cannot require a purchase, setting them apart from regulated gambling.
These legislative failures follow a similar defeat in Mississippi, signaling a growing trend among legislators who see through the unfounded claims.
Social Casino Bills Could Affect Jobs
According to the SPGA, the proposed bills sought to dismantle entire sectors of legitimate businesses, including game developers and payment processors, which would threaten thousands of jobs and stifle innovation across various industries.
“These bills shared the same fatal flaw: no facts and no foundation. Legislators are consistently rejecting efforts to criminalize safe, digital entertainment enjoyed by millions of adults across the U.S.,” said a spokesperson for the SPGA.
Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the unintended fallout of such sweeping measures, which could outlaw popular rewards programs used by millions. From airline miles to coffee shop loyalty perks, these everyday benefits were at risk, showing how disconnected the bills were from reality.
More Discussions Needed on Sweepstakes Casino Legislation
The SPGA has requested more discussions with industry experts before any regulatory changes are made. Several states are still fighting social casino platforms.
In the meantime, you can still enjoy sweepstakes casinos.
According to Vegas Insider, many players appreciate the social aspect, as these games often include features like leaderboards, challenges, and the ability to connect with friends or other players worldwide. Some will even offer bonus codes and have games that follow a particular theme like planets, pandas, or even beer.
You can play them at sites like High 5 Casino, Hello Millions, and McLuck
