SPGA Condemns Montana’s New Anti-Sweepstakes Law

On May 12, Montana’s SB555 was signed off by Governor Greg Gianforte to effectively eliminate sweepstakes casinos beginning on October 1. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has strongly condemned the bill. 

The SPGA is a trade group that represents sweepstakes casinos and advocates on behalf of the industry. The group has called SB555 “vague and sweeping” and points out that sweepstakes casinos aren’t mentioned by name in the bill's wording. 

The Wording in SB555

Speaking of the wording of that bill, let’s examine it. 

As you’ll see, it widens the definition of “internet gambling.”

“(b) (i) The term includes online casinos, by whatever name known, which constitute internet gambling and therefore are prohibited. This includes but is not limited to any platform, website, or application that knowingly transmits or receives gambling information, allows consumers to place a bet or wager using any form of currency, and makes payouts of any form of currency.”

No, the term sweepstakes isn’t used, but the system in which these platforms operate will clearly be impacted. 

SPGA Comments

Amid this bill getting signed off on, here’s what the SPGA had to say:

“This vague and sweeping law reclassifies legitimate, free-to-play promotional games as ‘internet gambling,’ ignoring the clear legal and operational distinctions between sweepstakes platforms and real-money online casinos. Under SB 555, even platforms with no purchase required and robust consumer safeguards could now face criminal penalties.”

The SPGA went on in their statement to provide additional examples, such as Microsoft Rewards where those that participate can build rewards points and redeem them for cash prizes. 

The disappointment stems from sweepstakes casinos being considered a form a illegal gambling as of October 1. We’ll see if they can advocate for some type of change between now and then. 

More Anti-Sweeps Legislation in Louisiana?

SB555 is expected to “go live” on October 1.

Now, in Louisiana, there’s SB181 that’s making progress through the proper legal channels. It passed the Senate unanimously and is going through the House.