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Lawmakers in Pennsylvania and Wyoming have filed draft legislation to ban sweepstakes casinos in their respective states.
In Wyoming, the Select Committee on Gaming sent draft bill 27LSO-0098 to the legislature’s Management Council ahead of the 2027 session, where the body will decide whether or not to sponsor the measure.
Pennsylvania has already teed up House Bill 2801, a larger gaming bill that includes a stipulation eliminating legal protections for sweepstakes in the Keystone State.
Wyoming’s sweepstakes ban would make sweepstakes a felony
In the current draft of 27LSO-0098, Wyoming would make sweepstakes gambling a felony in the state, punishable by up to three years in prison. Wyoming does not currently have a legal avenue for betting, and the existing legislation already classifies ‘professional gambling’ as a felony.
27LSO-0098 would amend the definition of ‘professional gambling’ to include online casinos and sweepstakes. The penalties would not just impact the player, but also operators and third-party vendors who facilitate operations:
“Operating an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, or knowingly providing services for the purpose of operating, offering or promotion an online casino or sweepstakes game for play by another person, including geolocation services, payment processing, server hosting, platform services, gaming content, data services, promotion, or advertising. This subparagraph shall not apply to a person’s participation in an online casino or sweepstakes game solely as a player.”
Similar draft bill fails to advance
Wyoming lawmakers evaluated a draft bill with similar provisions, 27LSO-0200, which failed to advance last Monday and died without reaching the full legislature.
Considering that bill’s fate, 27LSO-0098 might be dead on arrival for House and Senate consideration.
Pennsylvania shoehorns sweepstakes ban into wider gaming bill
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is currently evaluating HB2801, and bill sponsor Rep. Russ Diamond (R) introduced language making it “unlawful for a person or entity to operate, conduct or promote online sweepstakes games” in the state.
The legislation currently sits in the House Gaming Oversight Committee for approval before a vote in the House. The gaming bill would create penalties from $50,000 to $500,000 for violations and make operators susceptible to the revocation of their gambling license.
HB2801 has not received a hearing yet. The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Fall session concludes on November 30.
