Connecticut lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at banning sweepstakes gaming operators in the state, as part of a broader effort to regulate online gambling and curb unauthorized gaming platforms.
The Connecticut Senate’s General Law Committee on Monday unanimously approved SB 1235 with a 22-0 vote, sending the measure to the next stage of the legislative process. The bill, recommended by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, also bans lottery ticket resales and courier services while strengthening regulatory oversight of gaming businesses.
SB 1235 seeks to prohibit sweepstakes gaming operators, stating that such businesses “shall not allow or facilitate participation in certain real or simulated online casino gaming or sports wagering.” Lawmakers argue that while Connecticut already has regulated online casinos, sweepstakes operators divert revenue from state-approved, taxed platforms.
The bill also classifies operating an illegal gambling business as a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Connecticut joins a growing number of U.S. states moving to crack down on sweepstakes-style gambling.
States including Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York are also considering bans on such operations. In New Jersey, Assembly Bill A5447 proposes penalties of up to $250,000 per day for providing sweepstakes gaming services.
Currently, California, Georgia, and Texas allow sweepstakes casinos even though they prohibit online sports betting. Only Washington and Idaho have explicitly banned sweepstakes gaming.
Beyond banning sweepstakes casinos, SB 1235 includes provisions to:
• Allow certain wagers on boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).
• Expand the Commissioner of Consumer Protection’s oversight of gaming licensees.
• Tighten advertising restrictions for gaming operators.
Meanwhile, the committee also passed SB 1464, which would allow Connecticut to join multijurisdictional poker compacts and set maximum online sports betting wagers. In the House, lawmakers approved HB 5269, which would prohibit gaming companies from offering financial incentives to induce gambling.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/26/99456-connecticut-senate-committee-backs-bill-to-ban-sweepstakes-gaming
