Sweepstakes casinos will not appear on any ballot Tuesday. But voters in several states will choose governors, attorneys general and legislators who will help decide whether sweepstakes bans pass in 2027 and how existing laws are enforced.
Political spending by sweepstakes operators, led by VGW, has drawn attention in some of those races. A contribution does not establish a policy position, and candidates in both parties have received money.
Every seat in Pennsylvania’s House is on the ballot, and Democrats hold a narrow majority. Republicans lead the Senate, where half the seats are up. House Bill 2801, a pre-filed bill from Rep. Russ Diamond, would ban dual-currency sweepstakes games with penalties of up to $500,000. It was sent to the House Gaming Oversight Committee.
Diamond is the committee’s Republican chair, while Democratic Rep. Pat Harkins is the majority chair. Diamond is on the ballot himself, so the November results could affect who controls the committee and whether the bill gets a hearing.
Arizona’s Department of Gaming has sent cease-and-desist letters to several sweepstakes and social gaming operators, including a November 2024 order to VGW. VGW still operates there. State law does not formally define “sweepstakes,” and no ban bill has advanced.
VGW has given to both sides, according to campaign finance filings. It has contributed about $140,000 toward Republican efforts to hold the state House and Senate, and about $10,000 to a group backing Republican Warren Petersen in the attorney general race. It has also given more than $200,000 to groups tied to Democrats, including those supporting Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, who faces Petersen on Tuesday. The attorney general’s office shares enforcement responsibility.
Alabama has no lottery or casinos, but sweepstakes sites still operate there. This week, Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville said he would not block gambling legislation and wants any expansion developed as a single package. Democratic nominee Doug Jones supports a statewide lottery vote.
Tuberville’s campaign has received contributions from VGW’s LuckyLand brand, reported at $30,000 in March and $100,000 in August. Tuberville has said gambling policy is for lawmakers, and neither candidate has said how he would treat sweepstakes casinos.
Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 1589 takes effect November 1, two days before the vote. It makes operating or promoting a dual-currency online casino game a Class C2 felony, with a fine of $500 to $2,000 plus imprisonment. Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the bill, and the Senate and House overrode him in May.
Stitt is term-limited, so voters will choose a successor who will oversee enforcement. The bill was drafted with input from Oklahoma’s tribes, which operate licensed gaming in the state.
Several states will take up sweepstakes legislation when sessions open. Virginia’s Senate Bill 579, a study bill, returns January 13. Pennsylvania’s HB 2801 and a Wyoming proposal are pending.
Alabama’s governor cannot put a lottery on the ballot alone, since the Legislature must approve a constitutional amendment first. Election results will determine who chairs the committees that hear those bills and who runs the attorney general offices that enforce them.
Loading …
