New York’s Sweepstakes Ban Bills Gain Steam. Can They Beat June 13 Deadline?

A Push to Curb Sweepstakes

New York lawmakers are cracking down on online sweepstakes games with two bills, Assembly Bill 6745 and Senate Bill 5935, which target platforms mimicking casino games via dual-currency systems.

Introduced in March 2025 by Assemblymember Carrie Woerner and Senator Joseph Addabbo, respectively, these bills aim to outlaw sweepstakes that simulate slots, poker, blackjack, bingo, or sports betting.

They’d hit operators, suppliers, payment processors, and even media affiliates with fines from $10,000 to $100,000 per violation, plus potential license losses, enforced by the New York State Gaming Commission, state police, or Attorney General.

Both bills amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and breeding law, adding section 912 with identical language.

The Social and Promotional Games Association slammed the bills, warning they could “needlessly threaten New York’s economy” by criminalizing promotions from brands like McDonald’s or Starbucks. Some firms, like Real Prize, have already bailed from New York, leaving players scrambling to redeem prizes.

Meanwhile, Addabbo’s pushing to clear out unregulated offshore operators, saying, “We have these online sweepstakes casinos that basically look a lot like casino games, but they go unregulated.”

Legislative Track So Far

A6745, backed by a bipartisan crew including Woerner and 14 others, hit the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee on March 11, 2025.

By April 22, it was amended (A6745A), and on April 30, it sailed through the committee 11-0, landing in the Codes Committee, where it awaits action.

S5935, Addabbo’s solo project, started March 4, cleared the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee unanimously on March 18, and hit third reading by March 20. On April 30, it got a tweak (S5935A) to let the Gaming Commission define “dual-currency system,” addressing fears it’d ban legit sweepstakes, and stayed on third reading.

Both bills are making progress, with S5935 closer to a Senate floor vote. New York’s session ends June 13, leaving just over a month to clear hurdles: Codes and floor votes for A6745, a final Senate vote, and Assembly approval for S5935, plus reconciliation and the governor’s signature.

Can They Make It?

The bills have solid momentum. Unanimous committee votes signal broad support, and Addabbo’s clout as Senate Racing Committee chair helps.

Other states like Maryland and Louisiana are pushing similar bans, but New York’s iGaming ambitions, Addabbo’s S2614 eyes regulated online casinos, might complicate priorities.

If lawmakers keep the pedal down, New York could open or join the group of states banning sweepstakes, but any snag could push this to 2026. Track Addabbo’s moves. He’s the one to watch.