Louisiana HB883: The Bill That Could Formally Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

One year after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry vetoed a bill to ban sweepstakes casinos, state lawmakers are once again contesting the legality of the virtual currency games. House Bill 883 (HB883) aims to ban dual-currency online games across the state of Louisiana.

Unanimous House Approval to Ban Sweepstakes Casinos

In April, the Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously approved HB 883 by a vote of 98-0. The bill, introduced by Rep. Laurie Schlegel (R-82), would reclassify dual-currency sweepstakes gaming as illegal gambling. With a vote of 87-11, it also passed HB 53, which would categorize all related offenses under Louisiana’s racketeering laws. Now that this House Bill has passed, it moves forward to the Senate for review.

Sweepstakes casinos are a type of social casino that award prizes, which lawmakers suggest “simulates” the experience of gambling. At sweepstakes casinos, you can buy gold coins. These have no real value and cannot be redeemed; they only allow you to play certain games. Sweeps Coins, meanwhile, cannot be purchased but can be redeemed for prizes or cash. 

HB 883 doesn’t mention the word “sweepstakes” anywhere in the text. But by targeting the dual-currency structure directly, it effectively captures the entire sweepstakes casino category.

State Goes After Operators after Governor Veto

Gov. Landry’s decision to veto a similar measure in 2025 provided little assurance for sweepstakes casino operators in Louisiana. Rather than backing off, the Attorney General’s Office and Gaming Control Board began leveraging existing statutes to justify actions against operators.

Sweepstakes operators in Louisiana received more than 40 cease-and-desist letters after Gov. Landry’s veto. Many platforms left the state and others got rid of cash-redeemable features.

Targeting Criminal Racketeering Penalties

What makes the two bills particularly sharp are their reach. It doesn’t just go after operators. Platform providers, payment processors, content suppliers, geolocation services, promoters, and media affiliates are all in scope. Anyone who “knowingly supports or facilitates” an illegal platform could face up to five years in prison and $40,000 per violation. 

HB 53 has sweeping consequences for all parties involved in sweepstakes casino gaming, giving state regulatory bodies the authority to escalate enforcement under the umbrella of racketeering. Notably, prosecutors could target entire networks as opposed to just individual operators. Racketeering charges in the state have previously resulted in significant fines, asset seizure, and jail sentences.

The bills have to be approved by the Louisiana Senate, which concludes its current session June 1, and there’s always the possibility that Gov. Landry will issue another veto.