Connecticut Latest State to Approve Sweepstakes Banning Legislation

• The Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously approves SB 1235
• The bill effectively bans dual-currency sweepstakes gaming in the state
• It needs to next be signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont (D)

Connecticut lawmakers have put their final stamp of approval on a bill to prohibit dual-currency sweepstakes gaming in the Constitution State.

The Connecticut House of Representatives yesterday unanimously approved SB 1235, a bill that includes sweepstakes prohibition language, by a vote of 146-0.

Connecticut is the second state this week, behind Louisiana, to send sweepstakes prohibition legislation to its governor to potentially be signed into law.

Law Goes Into Effect Oct. 1, 2025

If signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont (D), SB 1235 will effectively prohibit Connecticut dual-currency sweepstakes gaming. It will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025 if signed into law.

The bill prohibits unlicensed participation “in certain real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering.” The Connecticut Senate unanimously approved the legislation by a 36-0 vote on May 23.

The legislation specifically notes it does not prohibit a retail grocery chain from conducting or promoting sweepstakes that uses a simulated gambling device, “provided such sweepstakes is related to the sale of groceries, the prize is not redeemed or redeemable for case, and the prize is only used as a discount to reduce the price of items purchase from such retail grocery chain.”

Connecticut is the fourth state to approve legislation that prohibits sweepstakes gaming in some form. Louisiana, Montana, and Nevada lawmakers have all passed sweepstakes prohibition legislation.

Louisiana Also Forwards Prohibition Bill

Louisiana lawmakers also approved a sweepstakes prohibition bill this week. The Louisiana House of Representatives unanimously approved SB 181, a bill to ban dual-currency sweepstakes gaming and increase penalties for offering illegal gaming, by a 99-0 vote.

Sen. Adam Bass (R-36) introduced his bill in early April.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board will have the ability to bring civil enforcement actions and impose civil penalties on companies engaging in any illegal form of sweepstakes gaming. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board will be able to fine operators, promotors, media affiliates, or providers if they engage in or procure revenue from the illegal form of sweepstakes gaming. The board will be able to levy fines from $10,000 to $100,000 per incident.

Bass’s legislation prohibits sweepstakes games that utilize a dual-currency system of payment that allows a customer to exchange the currency for any prize, award, cash, cash equivalents, or a chance to win a prize that simulates a form of gambling.

The bill will ban sweepstakes gambling that mirrors the following:

• Casino-style gaming such as slot machines, video poker, and table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps and poker
• Lottery games, including draw games, instant win games, keno, and bingo
• Sports betting