The 2026 sweepstakes casino bans

Since 2025, 16 states have ended the dual-currency sweepstakes model — California and New York are the biggest, but they’re far from alone. A few sites still operate under different legal structures — collectible card-game, parimutuel horse racing, and skill-based formats. The list below pulls live from the SweepsGuard database.

Sites operating under a non-sweepstakes model

  • Albumza
  • Candy Coins
  • Card Crush
  • Clash5
  • GetGud
  • GiddyUp
  • Horseplay
  • Jokio
  • Zumba Cards

How many states have banned sweepstakes casinos?

As of June 2026, 16 states no longer allow the dual-currency sweepstakes model — most by statute (including California’s AB 831 and New York’s S-5935A), and the rest under pre-existing gambling law or attorney-general enforcement. The 50-state map shows every state’s current status.

Are sweepstakes casinos still legal anywhere?

Yes — the dual-currency sweepstakes model still operates in most U.S. states. The bans are state-by-state; a site banned in California or New York generally still runs elsewhere, subject to each operator’s own restricted-state list.

What can I play instead in a banned state?

A few sites operate under different legal structures that fall outside the bans: collectible card-game sites, parimutuel horse-racing sites, and skill-based arcade sites. Each carries an independent SweepsGuard grade. None is a regulator-approved casino.

Will more states ban sweepstakes casinos?

Likely. Beyond the 16 states where the model is already unavailable, 3 more have ban legislation actively moving. We track every state’s status on the 50-state map and update it as laws change.