Pennsylvania, Wyoming Advance Proposals to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

While many jurisdictions have focused on regulating prediction market platforms, Pennsylvania and Wyoming are targeting sweepstakes casinos. This comes as Indiana and Maine's sweepstakes bans went into effect in July. 

In Wyoming, the Select Committee on Gaming sent a draft, 27LSO-0098, to the Management Council ahead of the upcoming 2027 session. From here, the Management Council will decide whether to sponsor the bill. 

Wyoming doesn't have an online casino industry, though Pennsylvania does. 

In Pennsylvania, HB 2801 is a larger gaming bill, and banning sweepstakes casinos is part of it. It would include fines of up to $500,000 per violation. 

As for Pennsylvania, its current session runs through Nov. 30, and bills will not carry over to 2027. So, we may get more news on this soon. 

Wyoming Sweepstakes Casino Ban Awaits Management Council Decision

Back to Wyoming, the draft 27LSO-0098 defines a sweepstakes game as any game, contest, or promo that meets these standards: 

• "Is offered for play or conducted over the internet.
• "Involves risking property or a “representative of value,” such as any type of currency, free-play, promotional-play or entry for the chance or opportunity to obtain property.
• "Enables a person to engage in gambling or simulates gambling.
• "Isn’t already excluded from the state’s definition of gambling or authorized by state or federal law."

Furthermore, there was a further definition of "professional gambling."

“Operating an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, or knowingly providing services for the purpose of operating, offering or promoting an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, including geolocation services, payment processing, server hosting, platform services, gaming content, data services, promotion or advertising. This subparagraph shall not apply to a person’s participation in an online casino or sweepstakes game solely as a player.”

The Management Council meets sometime between mid-November and early December. 

On the flip side, a draft in Wyoming to authorize sweepstakes casinos, 27LSO-0200, failed to advance at the end of a meeting last Monday. 

Pennsylvania Bill Proposes $500,000 Fines for Sweepstakes Casinos

As for Pennsylvania, Rep. Russ Diamond added this language to HB 2801: "... unlawful for a person or entity to operate, conduct or promote online sweepstakes games."

A sweepstakes game is described as doing the following: 

• "Utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange for or win a prize, award, cash or cash equivalent.
• "Simulates casino-style gaming.
• "Covers slot machine, interactive game, table game, including blackjack, roulette, craps or poker, or lottery games, including draw games, instant win games, keno, bingo or sports wagering."

Violators could face a fine of up to $500,000 per violation. 

Right now, HB 2801 is in the House Oversight Committee and has not yet been heard.