Sweepstakes casinos will remain legal in Louisiana — at least for now.
Gov. Jeff Landry has vetoed SB181, a bill that would have prohibited sweepstakes-based gaming in the state. The legislation passed unanimously in both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature, but Landry rejected it on the grounds that existing enforcement tools are sufficient and the bill’s language could hinder ongoing efforts to curb illegal operators.
In his veto message, Landry pointed to recent actions taken by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and law enforcement, including a cease-and-desist order issued to offshore sportsbook and casino Bovada. He warned that the bill’s broad language might inadvertently disrupt those enforcement efforts, calling the measure “a solution in search of a problem.”
SPGA Frames Veto as a Victory for Legal Sweepstakes Models
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA), which represents legal sweepstakes-style operators, praised the veto as a win for digital entertainment companies that comply with sweepstakes laws. The group said the bill would have blurred key legal distinctions and risked penalizing platforms that do not require purchases or wagers to win.
“Governor Landry’s veto is a powerful affirmation that not all online games are gambling,” an SPGA spokesperson said. “This legislation blurred critical legal distinctions and risked punishing legitimate businesses that comply with well-established sweepstakes laws and offer free-to-play experiences.”
SPGA added that other states — including Maryland, Mississippi, and Florida — have also rejected similar legislative efforts in recent years. The group emphasized that sweepstakes mechanics are widely used by major U.S. brands and should not be conflated with unregulated gambling sites.
Legislative Override Appears Unlikely Despite Unanimous Support
Although SB181 passed with unanimous support, the chances of a veto override appear slim. Louisiana has only overridden a governor’s veto once outside of a special session since 1974. Last year, the legislature declined to call a veto session despite several high-profile vetoes.
Gov. Landry has announced plans to call a special legislative session, though it is not yet clear whether sweepstakes legislation will be revisited. For now, operators and players in Louisiana can expect the status quo to hold, with regulatory agencies continuing to monitor compliance and pursue illegal gambling activity under existing law.
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