Indiana lawmakers are advancing a robust new bill designed to crack down on online sweepstakes casinos that utilize dual-currency systems.
House Bill 1052 specifically targets platforms that emulate casino gaming by using two forms of currency, one purchased for gameplay access and another that can be redeemed for cash prizes.
The proposed legislation introduces severe penalties for non-compliance. Operators found knowingly running these games in Indiana, or facilitating transactions for state residents, could face civil penalties reaching up to $100,000.
Additionally, the bill drastically expands regulatory power, granting the Indiana Gaming Commission and the horse racing commission the authority to suspend or deny licenses based on these violations.
Beyond the crackdown on sweepstakes, HB 1052 also includes a significant expansion of consumer protection measures. The state’s voluntary self-exclusion program will be updated to include sports wagering certificate holders.
This means individuals wishing to block themselves from gambling activities can now comprehensively exclude themselves from casinos, racetracks, and licensed sportsbooks simultaneously.
Operators will be legally required to honor this confidential list, stop direct marketing to enrollees, and refuse to extend credit to them.
This legislative move aligns Indiana with a growing national trend. Several other states, including New York, California, and Connecticut, have recently passed laws restricting or banning sweepstakes models, often citing the need to protect state-sanctioned gaming revenue and consumer safety.
