In June, sweepstakes casinos hastened their exit from various U.S. states, with Indiana becoming the center of attention as it prepared for a ban effective July 1.
While legislation regarding sweepstakes casinos slowed down, operators were actively adjusting to meet new state regulations. With bans in Indiana and Maine approaching, many platforms revised their lists of restricted states or announced their withdrawal from these markets.
According to Gambling Insider's update from May, the most significant trend observed in June was operators gearing up for Indiana's impending ban. Numerous platforms, including several major players, updated their terms or informed users that sweepstakes gaming would cease in the state.
Operators that announced their exit from Indiana in June included B-Two, which operates brands like McLuck, Hello Millions, PlayFame, and SpinBlitz. Mega Bonanza and Jackpota had already exited the state prior to this announcement.
Maine also saw an increase in operators adding it to their restricted territories lists ahead of its ban set for July 15. Yellow Social, which operates Pulsz and Pulsz Bingo, was among those announcing their exit.
In Iowa, while it did not experience as many restrictions as Indiana or Maine, the state enacted a law that enhances regulators' authority to issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed operators, leading to additional restrictions from various operators.
Other notable changes included B-Two announcing exits from Tennessee effective July 13, while Blazesoft added Illinois to its restricted list. Additionally, Rolling Riches and Smiles Casino added Utah and Tennessee, respectively.
Despite a relatively quiet legislative month in June, 2026 has been a busy year for sweepstakes regulation, with several states implementing restrictions. Indiana and Maine are set to enforce their bans soon, while Tennessee and Louisiana are also preparing to impose new regulations.
In Washington, D.C., a bill aimed at legalizing online casinos while banning sweepstakes casinos remains under consideration, with no further hearings scheduled as of now.
As the landscape of sweepstakes casinos continues to evolve, July is anticipated to bring further withdrawals from operators, particularly as major companies assess their positions in Indiana and Maine before the deadlines.