Louisiana Senate Bill 181 to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos Nears House Vote
Louisiana’s Senate Bill 181, led by Senator Adam Bass, is picking up steam in its quest to outlaw sweepstakes casinos.
A Big Push to Shut Down Sweepstakes
On Tuesday, the Senate gave it a unanimous 39-0 thumbs-up, sending it straight to the House, where it got its first reading on Wednesday.
The bill targets online games, contests, or promotions using a dual-currency payment system, where players can swap virtual coins for prizes, cash, or equivalents.
“Senate Bill 181 is legislation to combat the proliferation of illegal online casinos, which are ripping off Louisiana citizens,” Bass said, pointing to offshore operators dodging age checks and consumer protections.
The bill’s scope is wide, covering anything mimicking casino games like slots, video poker, or table games, plus lottery-style games like keno, bingo, or instant wins, and even sports betting.
If signed into law, it’ll kick in on August 1, joining a wave of similar efforts across the US, as Louisiana becomes the tenth state in 2025 to tackle sweepstakes bans.
Tough Penalties for Everyone Involved
SB 181 dishing out fines from $20,000 to $100,000 per violation and up to five years in prison, with or without hard labor. These punishments are stiffer than many other states’ anti-sweepstakes laws.
Violators also face charges for unfair trade practices, opening the door to civil lawsuits from affected players and enforcement actions by Louisiana’s Attorney General.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board gets beefed-up powers to launch civil proceedings, issue cease-and-desist orders, and demand the takedown of illegal gambling sites or apps, a rare move for state gaming regulators.
The crackdown targets the whole supply chain, from affiliates and influencers to geolocation providers, game makers, platform providers, media partners, investors, and even licensed operators’ staff or directors. Anyone tied to these games could feel the heat.
Why the Hard Line?
Bass argues these platforms, often based offshore, skirt rules that legal gambling in Louisiana must follow, like protecting players, ensuring responsible gaming, and blocking money laundering.
Without age verification, they’re seen as a risk to vulnerable users. The bill aims to boot these operators out of the state and scare off both foreign and domestic players from setting up shop, keeping Louisiana’s gambling scene tightly controlled.
This push comes as eight of the ten states with anti-sweepstakes bills lack legal online casino gambling, hinting at a broader trend to tighten the screws on unregulated platforms.
Now, SB 181 is in the House’s hands, with Louisiana’s legislative session wrapping up June 12. If the House greenlights it, the bill heads to Governor Jeff Landry for a final call.
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