Indiana house advances bill to ban online sweepstakes games
A bill seeking to outlaw online sweepstakes games that use dual or multi-currency payment systems in Indiana has cleared the state House with wide support and is now under Senate consideration.
House Bill 1052, sponsored by Rep. Ethan Manning, passed with a vote of 87-11. The legislation prohibits the operation of sweepstakes games that incorporate dual-currency or multi-currency models, following amendments that expanded the original language. The initial draft referenced only dual-currency systems.
The bill also underwent notable revision with the removal of a criminal offense clause. Instead of criminal charges, the amended version introduces a civil penalty of $100,000 for violators. This fine can be applied to both individuals and operators, but does not extend to affiliates or suppliers associated with sweepstakes platforms.
HB 1052 has secured the backing of Sen. Ron Alting, who joined as a sponsor prior to the bill’s third reading in the House. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further deliberation.
The measure includes additional provisions beyond the sweepstakes ban. It outlines new parameters for license revocation and restrictions on prohibited bettors under the jurisdiction of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission. It also proposes adjustments to the regulations governing beer and wine sales within the state.
The push for this ban comes amid differing interpretations of sweepstakes legality. The Indiana Gaming Commission has not classified such games as illegal, a position that has influenced the bill’s trajectory. In committee sessions, some lawmakers argued in favor of regulation rather than a ban. The regulator had stated that issuing cease-and-desist letters to operators would not be "in good faith, based on current law.”
One such effort came from Rep. Steve Bartels, who proposed an amendment to regulate sweepstakes operators instead of prohibiting them. The amendment did not advance, and the House ultimately endorsed a complete ban.
Rep. Manning’s legislative efforts in the gaming space have extended beyond HB 1052. Earlier in the session, he introduced HB 1078, a bill to legalize online lottery games for residents and visitors aged 18 and over.
The proposal, which also included a prohibition on digital couriers and plans for a voluntary iLottery exclusion program, was withdrawn after being scheduled for floor debate. A prior version had included online casino gaming, which was removed during the amendment process. Manning later confirmed that HB 1078 would not proceed during the current session.
Meanwhile, a proposal allowing a new Indiana casino has cleared a major legislative hurdle, as House members voted 67-30 on Monday in favor of House Bill 1038. The proposal would give four counties a chance at becoming the new home for Rising Star Casino, currently operating in the Ohio River city of Rising Sun.
https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/04/117450-indiana-house-advances-bill-to-ban-online-sweepstakes-games