NY Sweepstakes Casino Ban Awaits Governor’s Signature

New York’s anti-sweepstakes casino bill, S5935, was introduced in March 2025 by Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., and now, the bill has passed in both chambers and will be sent to Governor Kathy Hochul.

More About This Bill

This bill received an amendment on April 30 while it was in the Senate. This led to the bill being renamed S5935A. 

This bill passed through the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee. Addabbo Jr. is the Chair of that committee. 

The Senate passed the bill on June 11, and it was sent to the Assembly. 

Then, yesterday, June 17, the Assembly passed it, and it went back to the Senate. 

At this point, it’s up to Governor Hochul: sign or veto. 

The New York legislative session for this year ended on June 17, so this bill passed in essentially the final hour. 

Fellow anti-sweepstakes bills in Montana and Connecticut don’t take effect until later in the year, but this bill has language that would outlaw them immediately. 

“Until we legalize online gaming in New York, we do not want the illegal market to expand, to grow, to target minors or those that have problems,” said Addabbo Jr. 

Addabbo Jr. seems confident iGaming will eventually come to New York. 

“It’s a question of not if but when…Eventually, iGaming will happen in New York,” he said. 

The bill defines an “online sweepstakes game” as such:

“Any game, contest, or promotion that is available on the internet and/or accessible on a mobile phone, computer terminal, or similar access device that utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any cash prize, cash award or cash equivalents, or any chance to win any cash prize, cash award or cash equivalents, and simulates casino-style gaming, including but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, or sports wagering.”

Additionally, the state’s gaming commission will be able to define dual-currency models, which could leave very little room for loopholes. 

This bill also includes fines of up to $100,000 per violation, but it does not mention any potential criminal charges. 

New York AG Also Against Sweepstakes Casinos 

Earlier this month, New York Attorney General Letitia James came down hard on sweepstakes casinos, sending 26 cease-and-desist letters to them. All companies that received such notice complied. 

Social and Promotional Games Association Reacts 

With this bill about to cross the goal line, the Social and Promotional Games Association is calling upon Hochul to veto the bill.

It referred to the legislation as “a shortsighted bill that threatens to kill investment, stifle innovation, and undermine New York’s position as a national leader for tech and digital entertainment,” the organization began. 

“Troublingly, the bill leaves the definition of what constitutes an offending game entirely at the discretion of the State Gaming Commission, an unelected body.”

The SPGA, which represents sweepstakes platforms like High 5, Kickr, and more, cited Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s decision to veto its anti-sweepstakes bill. 

The SPGA continues to lobby but hasn’t had many wins. There’s another group that lobbies on behalf of sweepstakes casinos, too, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, which includes Virtual Gaming Worlds and Yellow Social Interactive. They have yet to comment. 

However, VGW and Yellow Social Interactive have left New York entirely.