Maine Set to Debate Legislation to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

Following the lead of several other states, Maine is looking to possibly bar online sweepstakes casinos from operating in the state.

State of Play

  • Maine is preparing for a legislative hearing on a bill that would ban sweepstakes casinos, a growing focus in US gambling regulation.
  • The hearing is scheduled shortly after the session begins, signaling strong legislative momentum.
  • This move follows similar bans in several states in 2025 and could reshape the legal landscape for online sweepstakes gaming in Maine.

The upcoming Maine legislative session, which begins on Jan. 7, will include a hearing on Legislative Document 2007 (LD2007), a bill aiming to outlaw sweepstakes casinos. The hearing is set for Jan. 14 before the Joint Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.

LD2007 defines sweepstakes casinos by their “dual-currency system,” where players purchase Gold Coin packages (which hold no cash value) to obtain Sweeps Coins redeemable for cash prizes.

The bill targets practices like preventing direct coin purchases and the use of indirect tokens to obtain cash-value coins. It also grants the Maine Gambling Control Unit exclusive authority to classify and regulate sweepstakes casinos. This follows concerns raised in June 2025 about illegal online gaming sites operating in Maine, none of which hold state licenses.

Maine also doesn’t allow real-money online casinos.

Bill could move through statehouse quickly

Maine’s LD2007 represents a significant regulatory tightening on sweepstakes casinos, which have skirted traditional gaming laws.

States like California, New York, and New Jersey enacted similar bans in 2025.

The bill aims to protect consumers by eliminating the layered payment systems that can obscure real-money gambling. Operators maintaining sweepstakes platforms argue their business complies with US laws, pays taxes, and prioritizes consumer safety. However, if passed, this bill could disrupt sweepstakes operators’ access to Maine’s market and influence regulatory approaches in other states watching Maine’s progress.

The legislative session concludes in April, with the hearing’s timing indicating potential swift action on LD2007.

Based on reporting by Richard Janvrin for a separate news outlet.