Sweeps Casinos Could be Fined Up to $100K Under Legislation Passed by Indiana House

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• Indiana’s House voted 87-11 to advance HB 1052, a bill that would ban multi-currency sweepstakes casinos and allow civil fines up to $100,000.
• This marks the first chamber to act on a sweepstakes ban in 2026 and ties into a larger national push.

The Indiana House approved Rep. Ethan Manning’s HB 1052 by an 87-11 vote, advancing a bill that would bar sweepstakes casinos that use multi-currency systems – online coin or token models that can be exchanged for cash prizes after playing casino-style games.

The bill replaces the earlier term dual currency with multi-currency and lowers penalties from criminal charges to civil fines, allowing regulators to levy up to $100,000 against operators. Lawmakers also moved the bill to the Senate with Sen. Ron Alting listed as sponsor.

During committee hearings, Indiana Gaming Commission General Counsel Natalie Huffman said current statutes don’t explicitly cover these operators and recommended clearer rules to allow the commission to issue cease-and-desist orders. An amendment to regulate rather than ban sweepstakes failed, as did a separate push to legalize online casinos this session.

Other states could follow suit in 2026

For players, the immediate outcome could mean reduced access to sweepstakes-style sites operating in Indiana and a greater likelihood of enforcement actions that could suspend or close unlicensed platforms.

Operators face a starker compliance landscape: civil fines up to $100,000, increased likelihood of cease-and-desist orders, and the prospect of being pushed out of state markets.

That has financial implications for both operators and affiliates and raises questions about the recoverability of player balances if sites shut down.

Nationally, this vote reinforces a broader trend. Six states banned sweepstakes casinos in 2025 and multiple states have issued cease-and-desist letters. Operators may respond by modifying product models, exiting regulated markets, or challenging laws in court.

Based on reporting by Pat Evans for iGaming Business.