Maine’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs recently advanced a bill, LD 2007, that would make it unlawful to operate or promote online sweepstakes games that mimic casino gambling by using dual-currency systems. Penalties include fines of $10,000 to $100,000. The committee also pushed forward a related measure, LD 2080, to ban the use of credit cards for sports betting deposits.
Maine lawmakers are seeking to ban sweepstakes casinos because they argue platforms closely resemble traditional online gambling while operating outside the state’s licensed casino and sports betting framework.
These sites use dual-currency systems that allow users to purchase virtual coins and redeem winnings for cash prizes, a model legislators say effectively mirrors real-money wagering without being regulated as such.
The goal with LD 2007 is to protect consumers, preserve the integrity of Maine’s regulated gaming market, and prevent unlicensed operators from bypassing oversight.
If LD 2007 passes into law, it would be the latest example of a nationwide crackdown on sweepstakes casinos. Several states have banned these platforms, most notably California.
The risk with banning sweepstakes casinos is that players could move to offshore platforms, which have fewer consumer protections.
However, that won’t be the case with Maine, as lawmakers legalized online casinos in January 2026.
This makes it ideal timing for the removal of sweepstakes casinos, as the state seeks to prioritize its regulated iGaming market.
Prohibiting the use of credit cards for sports betting deposits is framed as a consumer protection measure aimed at reducing financial harm. By limiting deposits to debit cards, bank transfers, or other methods tied directly to available funds, regulators can help prevent users from wagering with borrowed money they may not be able to repay.
This approach reduces the risk of accumulating high-interest debt tied to gambling losses and encourages bettors to play within their actual financial means. Removing credit as a funding source adds an extra layer of friction, which can discourage impulsive betting and promote more sustainable, responsible gaming behavior.
This move positions the state of Maine as one of the leaders in responsible gaming across the country. Other states that have banned credit cards as deposits include Illinois, Massachusetts, and several others.
With both bills advancing out of committee, the next step is consideration by the full Maine Legislature. Lawmakers will debate and vote on LD 2007 (the sweepstakes casino ban) and LD 2080 (the credit card deposit ban) before they can move to the governor’s desk for signature or veto.
If enacted, regulators would then be responsible for implementing enforcement rules, including defining compliance timelines and penalty procedures.
The outcome will determine how quickly sweepstakes operators must exit the state and when sportsbooks would need to stop accepting credit cards for deposits.
