Louisiana Lawmakers Trying to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos Again

^{Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a bill in 2025 that would have banned sweepstakes casinos within the state. (Photo: Bonnie Cash / UPI / Alamy Live News)}

In 2025, Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill that would have explicitly outlawed sweepstakes casinos in the state, only to see Governor Jeff Landry veto that effort. In 2026, the state legislature is pushing two more bills that would take strong measures against online sweepstakes sites.

Lawmakers have already seen significant movement on both pieces of legislation, with one already having been sent to Gov. Landry for consideration.

Gambling Violators Could Face Racketeering Charges

House Bill 53, which would change Louisiana law to apply racketeering charges to several forms of illegal gambling – including gambling by computer and gambling by electronic sweepstakes device – passed the Louisiana House by an 86-11 vote on March 30 and the Louisiana Senate by a 27-9 margin on April 27. The bill has been signed by the leaders of both chambers, and it was sent for consideration to the governor earlier this week.

Under the bill, individuals could face fines of up to $1 million and as much as 50 years of prison time. The activities subjected to these enhanced penalties also includes gambling in public, unlawful wagering by a prohibited player, and bribery of sports participants.

A second piece of legislation, House Bill 883, would add dual-currency systems – the common format seen at sweepstakes casinos – to the state’s definition of illegal gambling. While this legislation hasn’t moved as far along as HB 53, it passed unanimously by a 99-0 vote in the state House on April 14. The bill is currently winding its way through the Senate committee process.

Under HB 883, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill would be empowered to seek injunctions against operators and providers offering sweepstakes casino gaming. Violations of the new law would be punished by fines of up to $40,000 and prison sentences of up to five years.

Will Landry Veto Sweepstakes Ban Again?

It’s unclear how Gov. Landry will respond to the new bills. When the state legislature passed its sweepstakes casino ban last session, he vetoed the bill, saying that it was unnecessary under Louisiana law.

“This bill is a solution in search of a problem that is already being solved by our current system,” Landry wrote in his veto statement. “Some of the language in this bill is overly broad and could by interpreted in an adverse manner, which may harm or impede our current enforcement actions taken against these bad actors.”

Following the veto, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist orders to several sweepstakes casino operators. But while several major sweepstakes operators no longer operate in Louisiana, other sites still offer play to users in the state.

Louisiana is far from the only state taking swings at the sweepstakes casino industry in 2026. In recent weeks, legislatures in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee have all passed laws that would either target sweepstakes casinos or give regulators more tools to enforce laws against unlicensed gambling sites.