HB 1052 Has Been Introduced In Indiana, Would Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

The sweepstakes casino industry could be in line for another hit, as State Rep. Ethan Manning has introduced House Bill 1052 in Indiana that would ban sweepstakes casinos. 

Of course, the bill includes other subjects, such as policies related to the Horse Racing Commission, the sports wagering voluntary exclusion program, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission.

The Definition In the Bill

Within the bill, there’s a definition for sweepstakes casinos, which reads as follows:

“(1) utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing a player to exchange currency for a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents or a chance to win a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents; and (2) simulates casino-style gaming, including slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, and sports wagering.”

What The Bill Says About Sweeps Casinos 

HB 1052 would impose a $100,000 fine on operators offering sweepstakes games. There’s nothing right now related to others, like affiliates or payment processing platforms. 

Additionally, there’s a clause related to the difference between online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency model and other sweepstakes games: “... device played for amusement that rewards a player exclusively with a toy, a novelty, candy, other noncash merchandise, or a ticket or coupon redeemable for a toy, a novelty, or other noncash merchandise that has a wholesale value of not more than the lesser of ten (10) times the amount charged to play the amusement device one (1) time or twenty-five dollars ($25).”

The Latest On Where The Bill Is At

The person who introduced the bill, Manning, is the chair of the House Public Policy Committee. There’s no meeting scheduled for the bill right now, but the House is in session over the next two weeks. 

Manning has a history of bills related to online gaming. Last year, he introduced HB 1432, which would have legalized online casino games, but it fell apart in the Ways and Means Committee. 

This bill has received bipartisan support, with State Reps. Peggy Mayfield and Justin Moed are joining as co-authors. 

This bill comes as Maine has introduced a bill to ban sweepstakes casinos, a bill has been introduced in Florida that won’t be heard until at least March 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed their state’s bill into law, and California’s ban is coming on Jan. 1, 2026.