Adam Roarty is a journalist covering sports betting, regulation, and industry innovation for CasinoBeats. His coverage includes tax increases in the UK, covering breaking stories in the ever-evolving landscape of US betting such as the...
Read Full BioMississippi lawmakers have again introduced legislation to ban sweepstakes casinos in the state, following an unsuccessful effort last year.
Sen. David Blount and Sen. Joey Fillingane are again sponsoring the bill that seeks to criminalize online sweepstakes gaming and increase penalties on other forms of illegal gambling.
SB2104 specifically mentions sweepstakes this time, with a section added “to clarify that the operation of ‘internet sweepstakes cafes’ and ‘online sweepstakes casinos’ are illegal gambling activities under state law.”
Operating an online sweepstakes casino would be classified as a felony, and convictions could result in fines of up to $100,000, prison time for up to 10 years, or both.
Online Sports Betting Not Included
Blount and Fillingane both sponsored last year’s effort to outlaw sweepstakes casinos and increase penalties for illegal gambling operators. The legislation gained support in the Senate, passing with a 51-0 vote. Mississippi’s Senate was the first chamber to pass a bill banning sweepstakes casinos.
However, the Senate rejected the same bill after House Representatives amended it to include text that would have legalized online sports betting in Mississippi.
The House had overwhelmingly voted in favor of the legislation that would have both banned sweepstakes casinos and legalized online sports betting.
State Representative Kevin Felsher said he is hopeful lawmakers will approve online sports betting this year, but there are no immediate plans to add it to the bill banning sweepstakes casinos.
Sen. Blount, chair of the Senate Gaming Committee, said he would consider the issue if it is raised, stating, “The House has been outspoken in wanting to expand gaming in the state, so I don’t know what the House may do, but I’ll have to wait and see if there’s a Senate bill or not to consider.”
Fight Against Sweepstakes Casinos Continues in 2026
As a result of the sports betting amendment, Mississippi did not enact a ban on sweepstakes casinos last year. However, other states did. A total of six states have now passed legislation prohibiting the platforms, including California and New York.
Most states have targeted the dual-currency model, which allows users to play casino-style games using tokens, such as sweep coins, that can later be exchanged for cash.
This year, it appears there will be increased efforts in several more states to ban operators. In addition to the latest bill in Mississippi, lawmakers in Iowa have introduced a similar bill that seeks to prohibit sweepstakes casinos.
In Alabama, meanwhile, there are 21 new lawsuits against companies that plaintiffs accuse of running illegal gambling services. Similar lawsuits filed in the past have not been successful in driving companies out of Alabama.
Even in states that have enacted bans, not all operators exit the market. Rather than completely withdrawing, Modo Casino has, for example, devised a new system to enable it to continue operating in California.
It looks like this year will bring more of the same, with lawmakers in Mississippi and Iowa kicking off the new legislative sessions with renewed efforts against sweepstakes casinos.
