The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) is celebrating a recent streak of legislative wins after lawmakers across the country rejected “misguided efforts” to ban social and sweepstakes games. Three states had failed anti-sweepstakes legislation: Arkansas, Maryland, and Mississippi.
“These bills shared the same fatal flaw: no facts and no foundation. Legislators are consistently rejecting efforts to criminalize safe, digital entertainment enjoyed by millions of adults across the U.S.,” said a spokesperson from the SPGA.
“When legislation threatens everyday perks from airlines, hotels, and your local coffee shop, it’s clear the bills aren’t just misguided, they’re dangerously out of touch.”
Arkansas House Bill 1861 would have grouped sweepstakes gaming into the category of illegal gambling and allow the state’s three licensed casinos — Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort Hotel, Saracen Casino Resort, and Southland Casino Hotel — to offer online casino gaming.
A potential fourth retail casino filed a lawsuit aiming to overturn a 2024 ballot measure that banned it from opening. The fourth casino, which would be located in Pope County, would have had an online sportsbook as well. Senate Bill 524 was also withdrawn by the author on March 20.
SPGA Opposed Mississippi Bill After Senate Became First Chamber In U.S. To Ban Sweepstakes
Maryland Sen. Paul Corderman’s SB 860 also died Wednesday as the 2025 legislative session came to a close. The bill was approved unanimously by the full Senate last month and sent to the House. There, it had a hearing in the Ways and Means Committee but never made it to a vote.
Additionally, Mississippi Sen. Joey Fillingane’s SB 2510 died earlier this month. Fillingane’s bill would have increased criminal penalties for offering illegal online gambling in the state while also banning online sweepstakes gaming.
In February, the Mississippi Senate became the first chamber in the U.S. to pass a bill banning sweepstakes casinos. House Representatives then amended it in early March to include online sports betting language. However, the Senate rejected it for the sports betting language.
The SPGA added that “these bills also sought to dismantle an entire ecosystem of legitimate businesses, including game developers, payment processors, software vendors, banks, and more — threatening thousands of jobs and undermining innovation across the economy.”