Louisiana is getting closer to a ban on sweepstakes casinos after Senate Bill 181 (SB181) was unanimously approved (99-to-0) by the House a week ago. If SB181 is signed into law, sweepstakes casinos would be banned on August 1, 2025.
This would make Louisiana the fourth state with an explicit ban on sweepstakes casinos, joining Montana, Washington, and Michigan.
Here are some key events of how SB181 has progressed to this point:
SB181 is clear in its language with the intent to “prohibit sweepstakes gaming.”
The bill defines illegal sweepstakes gaming as “any game, contest, or promotion that is available on the internet or accessible on a mobile phone, computer terminal, or similar access device that utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize or award or cash or cash equivalents.”
The forms of gambling included in this sweepstakes ban include casino-style gaming, lottery games, and sports wagering. Operators that violate this bill could get fined up to $100,000.
This bill in Louisiana highlights a recent sweepstakes crackdown that has been widespread across the United States.
The next step involves the bill going back to the Senate to see if there should be any amendments. After that, Gov. Jeff Landry will have to sign the bill to put it into law.
However, there is some opposition lobbying for efforts to prevent this sweepstakes ban.
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) is against this bill, arguing that the games on free-to-play platforms function under legal sweepstakes laws.
SPGA’s position is that since these sweepstakes sites don’t require users to make a purchase, they should remain legal. “The vast majority of users never spend a dime – they play for entertainment and the excitement of winning prizes at no cost,” stated the SPGA after SB181 was introduced.
It is true that users at sweepstakes casinos never have to put money into their balance. Several sweepstakes sites allow players to earn virtual currency for free through various promotions. This may include a no-purchase bonus, which is provided following legal registration, and a daily login bonus, offering players more coins for regular sign-ins.
Even so, SB181 has progressed far enough, appearing to follow in the trails of Montana.
In late May 2025, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed SB 555 into law, becoming the first state to ban sweepstakes gambling. This has influenced other states, such as Louisiana, to move in a similar direction.
As with Louisiana’s pending sweepstakes ban, the SPGA criticized Montana’s decision as well, stating that the law would have the unintended consequence of having an impact on marketing practices due to the vague language in the law.
The bill was passed regardless, removing sweepstakes gaming from the state as of October 1, 2025. Whether that will also be the case in Louisiana is yet to be determined.
SB181 was sent to Gov. Landry on June 5, 2025, so we should find out if the bill is signed into law soon.
