Mississippi, Maryland move forward with sweepstakes casino bans
In Mississippi, legislators are quickly moving to prohibit sweepstakes gaming. The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 2510 (SB 2510) on Wednesday (12 March) by a decisive vote of 83-19.
The measure, introduced by Sen. Joey Fillingane, seeks to update the Mississippi Code of 1972, which already bans brick-and-mortar sweepstakes cafes, to also include online sweepstakes casino games.
Unlike Maryland’s bill, SB 2510 proposes harsher penalties, elevating the violation from a misdemeanor to a felony. Those found guilty of operating online sweepstakes games could face up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Before the House approved SB 2510, Rep. Casey Eure, chair of the House Gaming Committee, amended the bill to include language that would legalise online sports betting in the state. However, this addition has complicated the bill’s progress.
The Mississippi Senate previously rejected a similar House-led effort to legalise online sports betting, raising uncertainty over whether lawmakers will accept the revised version of SB 2510.
The bill is now back in the Senate, where legislators must decide whether to approve, amend, or reject the measure before the 21 March deadline for bills related to state budgets and taxation.
Also on Wednesday, the Maryland Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 860 (SB 860) with a unanimous vote of 47-0.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Paul Corderman, is now headed to the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
That approval came after the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee voted 13-0 in favour of the bill.
SB 860 specifically aims to prohibit the operation, promotion, and conduct of online sweepstakes gaming in the state.
If passed, the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency would be restricted from issuing licenses to operators offering such games, and it would have the authority to revoke or deny licences for businesses engaging in illegal sweepstakes operations.
The Senate bill is accompanied by a parallel measure in the House, House Bill 1140 (HB 1140), which contains identical language. However, HB 1140 has yet to receive a committee vote and has faced several delays.
SB 860 is expected to be discussed in the House on 20 March.
Under SB 860, sweepstakes games are defined as mobile contests or promotions that utilise two types of currency and allow players to convert one into monetary rewards or tangible prizes.
The bill seeks to outlaw various online casino-style games, including slots, table games, video poker, sports betting, lottery games, keno and bingo.
However, online games that do not offer real-money rewards or cash-equivalent prizes are exempt from the proposed ban.
The penalties outlined in the legislation include a misdemeanor charge for violators. Those convicted could face up to three years in prison and fines ranging between $10,000 and $100,000.
The push to ban sweepstakes gaming is part of a larger trend across multiple states where lawmakers and regulators are examining the legal standing of such operations.
Many argue that these platforms function as unregulated online casinos, competing with licensed operators without adhering to the same consumer protection laws or tax structures.
Opponents of sweepstakes bans argue that the model provides a legal alternative to traditional gambling, particularly in states that have not yet legalised online casinos.
However, the increasing legislative scrutiny suggests state governments are looking to clarify the legality of such operations and either bring them under regulation or eliminate them altogether.
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