Maine Becomes the Second State to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos in 2026
Governor Janet Mills signed LD 2007 on April 6, 2026, making Maine the second state this year to ban sweepstakes casino platforms. Indiana signed HB 1052 nine days earlier. Two bans in less than two weeks. What looked like isolated pushback is starting to look like a wave.
Key Takeaways
LD 2007 signed April 6, 2026. Effective ~July 2026. Fines up to $100,000 per violation. Operators, payment processors, and vendors all covered. Maine joins California, New York, and Indiana as closed markets.
What LD 2007 Does
The law targets dual-currency platforms: Gold Coins distributed free, Sweeps Coins redeemable for cash prizes. Any platform using that model to simulate slots, poker, bingo, lottery, or sports wagering is now illegal in Maine.
| Provision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date | ~90 days from signing (early July 2026) |
| Minimum fine | $10,000 per violation |
| Maximum fine | $100,000 per violation |
| Fine destination | Maine Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund |
| Covered parties | Operators, payment processors, technology vendors |
| Games covered | Slots, poker, bingo, lottery simulations, sports wagering |
How Fast This Moved
LD 2007 passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support and was signed within four days of final passage on April 2. Indiana moved similarly fast. In both states, legislators framed sweepstakes casinos as a consumer protection issue rather than a gambling regulation debate, and that framing removed most of the usual friction.
The Closed Market Map
| State | Law | Signed | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | AB 831 | 2025 | January 1, 2026 |
| New York | SB 5935A | 2025 | 2025/2026 |
| Indiana | HB 1052 | March 28, 2026 | ~June 2026 |
| Maine | LD 2007 | April 6, 2026 | ~July 2026 |
The remaining open market is contracting. Platforms that built their economics on near-nationwide reach are running on a fundamentally different model than they planned 12 months ago.
What Comes Next
Minnesota is the next state to watch. SF 4474 has cleared three committees and faces an April 17 Finance Committee deadline. Florida and Texas have active bills at earlier stages. Neither has passed a ban, and combined they represent more addressable users than California.