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Online Sweepstakes Casinos will be illegal in Indiana as of July 1.
After the state legislature passed the wide-ranging House Bill 1052 earlier this year, Gov. Mike Braun signed it into law on Thursday.
The bill includes many administrative measures across several industries, but the section that caught the attention of the gaming industry relates to dual-currency or multi-currency sweepstakes games that resemble forms of gambling.
Braun’s signature makes Indiana the first state this year to formally ban Sweepstakes Casinos after several jurisdictions did so in 2025.
The law explicitly references products that resemble slots, poker, bingo and table games, as well as lottery-style games and sports wagering. The ban does not include games offered by the state lottery commission or peer-to-peer skill-based poker.
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) will have the power to impose civil penalties of $100,000 against any operator or individual who knowingly offers such games either in Indiana or via a transaction directly involving a person located in the state. The bill initially called for criminal penalties but those were downgraded to civil penalties in an early amendment in January.
The House passed the bill 87-11 on Feb. 2 and the Senate approved it by a 37-8 vote on Feb. 18. After the two chambers reconciled differences in the bill created by Senate amendments unrelated to the sweeps ban, it was sent to Braun’s desk and has now been signed.
Online Sweepstakes Casinos will be illegal in Indiana as of July 1.
After the state legislature passed the wide-ranging House Bill 1052 earlier this year, Gov. Mike Braun signed it into law on Thursday.
The bill includes many administrative measures across several industries, but the section that caught the attention of the gaming industry relates to dual-currency or multi-currency sweepstakes games that resemble forms of gambling.
Braun’s signature makes Indiana the first state this year to formally ban Sweepstakes Casinos after several jurisdictions did so in 2025.
Gambling-style sweeps banned
Braun’s signature ratifies a change to state law that would outlaw online games, contests, or promotions that simulate casino or lottery gaming or Sports Betting and that use a dual-currency or multi-currency system that allows players to exchange currency for a chance to win cash or equivalent prizes.The law explicitly references products that resemble slots, poker, bingo and table games, as well as lottery-style games and sports wagering. The ban does not include games offered by the state lottery commission or peer-to-peer skill-based poker.
The Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) will have the power to impose civil penalties of $100,000 against any operator or individual who knowingly offers such games either in Indiana or via a transaction directly involving a person located in the state. The bill initially called for criminal penalties but those were downgraded to civil penalties in an early amendment in January.
The House passed the bill 87-11 on Feb. 2 and the Senate approved it by a 37-8 vote on Feb. 18. After the two chambers reconciled differences in the bill created by Senate amendments unrelated to the sweeps ban, it was sent to Braun’s desk and has now been signed.
