Major operators exit Indiana after sweepstakes ban

Indiana ban changes the sweepstakes market

Indiana's House Bill 1052 took effect on 1 July 2026 after becoming law earlier this year. The law bans online sweepstakes casinos that use two virtual currencies — Gold Coins for play and Sweeps Coins that users can trade for cash or prizes.

Lawmakers said this system looked too much like gambling without following casino rules. The law gives companies only two choices — stop offering redeemable games or leave Indiana.

There is no way for companies to get a license under the new law. There was also no extra time to adjust before the rules began. Businesses that break the law may face fines of up to $100,000 for each violation.

Big operators leave Indiana

Several of the best-known sweepstakes casinos stopped serving players in Indiana after the ban started. The biggest names include:

• Chumba Casino

• LuckyLand Slots

• Global Poker

• Stake.us

• McLuck

• WOW Vegas

VGW made one of the largest exits by removing all of its sweepstakes casinos from Indiana. Other companies soon followed. Brands such as Hello Millions, Jackpota, Pulsz Casino, High 5 Casino, and Funzpoints also left the state.

These exits greatly reduced the number of sweepstakes casinos available to Indiana players. Many users also noticed fewer games before the deadline — including popular titles from Hacksaw Gaming.

Some companies stayed

Instead, some businesses removed prize redemption and kept free-to-play games. Players can still use Gold Coins for entertainment, but they can no longer exchange winnings for cash or gift cards.

This choice helped several casinos stay open while following the new law. Sweepico, VegasWay, SweepShark, Funrize, and Fortune Wheelz all switched to this model before the deadline.

Other states are watching

Indiana now has one of the toughest sweepstakes casino laws in the United States. Unlike some states that only raised concerns, Indiana decided to ban dual-currency casinos. Nevertheless, the law could have a wider effect. Other states are watching closely as they consider similar rules.

Maine plans to start its own sweepstakes casino ban on 15 July 2026. Louisiana is expected to follow on 1 August 2026. Beyond Indiana, several companies have already started leaving those states before the new deadlines. That suggests more changes may come as lawmakers continue to review the sweepstakes market.