Online gambling platforms offering sweepstakes games face potential bans in Connecticut and Louisiana.
Venturing Forward: Connecticut and Louisiana Crack Down on Sweepstakes Casinos
Get ready for some changes in the gaming landscape, as Connecticut and Louisiana are steaming ahead with legislative measures to put a stop to online sweepstakes casinos. Both states' assemblies have given their seal of approval to bills, which now teeter on the brink of gubernatorial approval.
Yes, you heard that right! If these bills get the green light, they'll outlaw online platforms that peddle casino-style games using virtual currencies and sweepstakes mechanics.
In the heart of New England, Connecticut's Senate Bill 1235 (SB 1235) scored a unanimous victory on June 3, following the House's amendment adoption. The bill lays the smackdown on the rise of sweepstakes casinos and simulated gambling, labeling anyone caught operating or promoting such platforms a Class D felon - that's up to five years in the slammer and a $5,000 fine for you!
Initially, provisions in the bill aimed to ban lottery courier services and ticket resales, but those were snipped during the legislative process. SB 1235 also throws a bone to Connecticut's legal gaming market, giving Governor Ned Lamont the keys to broker multi-state online poker liquidity deals and allowing wagers on in-state college sports tournaments under certain conditions.
Meanwhile, in Louisiana, Senate Bill 181 (SB 181) glided through both chambers unscathed, with a 99-0 victory in the House and a 38-0 romp in the Senate. It's bound for Governor Jeff Landry's desk now, waiting for the final approval stamp. The bill zeroes in on online games using dual-currency models - think free and paid currencies - where players can muscle real-world prizes through casino-style gameplay.
Violators in Louisiana could receive punishments totaling up to $100,000 and five years behind bars. The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), which stands up for companies offering sweepstakes-based games, accused the legislation of muddying the waters between lawful promotions and illegal gambling, potentially stifling digital innovation in Louisiana's tech and marketing industries.
This comes hot on the heels of Montana enacting a similar law and in the midst of ongoing efforts in states like New York, New Jersey, Nevada, and Ohio to regulate or tighten the reins on sweepstakes casinos.
Curious about Connecticut's SB 1235 in more depth? Once it's officially signed into law, it'll make it a Class A misdemeanor to run or promote sweepstakes unrelated to bona fide product or service sales, as well as using simulated gambling devices or sweepstakes tied to online casinos and sports betting.
As for Louisiana's SB 181, we're still waiting for more details to surface. But given the action being taken in both Connecticut and Louisiana, it's safe to say that sweepstakes casino legislation is alive and well in the United States!
With the approved bills in Connecticut and Louisiana, traditional sports might see a resurgence as online sweepstakes casinos, peddling gambling activities, could be outlawed. The outlook for Connecticut's gaming landscape is shifting, with harsher penalties for those operating or promoting such platforms, potentially providing more opportunities for sports promotions following the passing of SB 1235.
