Louisiana Targets Dual Currency Sweepstakes Casinos with New Bill

Proposed legislation would classify Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins gaming systems as illegal online gambling.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Louisiana legislature has pre-filed a new measure, House Bill 883, that aims to update the state's laws to specifically target sweepstakes casinos that operate using dual currency systems. The bill would increase penalties for offering illegal online gambling and prohibit financial institutions and platform providers from supporting or facilitating these types of gaming operations.

Why it matters

This bill is the latest effort by Louisiana lawmakers to crack down on the proliferation of sweepstakes casinos in the state. In 2025, a similar measure was passed by the legislature but ultimately vetoed by the governor. However, the state's gaming regulators and attorney general have continued to issue cease-and-desist orders, leading many sweepstakes operators to leave the market. This new bill seeks to solidify the state's stance against these types of dual currency gaming systems.

The details

House Bill 883 would provide legal definitions for 'financial transaction provider' and 'platform provider', and increase the penalties for offering illegal online gambling from up to a $20,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment to up to a $100,000 fine and 5 years imprisonment. The bill would also prohibit these financial and platform providers from supporting or facilitating any parties engaged in illegal online gambling.

  • The Louisiana legislative session officially begins on March 9, 2026.
  • House Bill 883 was pre-filed on February 27, 2026.

The players

Louisiana House Rep. Laurie Schlegel

The representative who pre-filed House Bill 883.

Governor Jeff Landry

The Louisiana governor who vetoed a similar measure targeting sweepstakes casinos in 2025.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board

The state regulatory body that has issued cease-and-desist orders to sweepstakes casinos in the past.

Louisiana Attorney General's Office

The state's top law enforcement agency that has also taken action against sweepstakes casinos.

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What they’re saying

“At the time, Gov. Landry stated that the measure was unnecessary, as the current policies in place are sufficient to tackle sweepstakes casinos.”

— Governor Jeff Landry (mlive.com)

What’s next

House Bill 883 will be taken up when the Louisiana legislative session begins on March 9, 2026.

The takeaway

Louisiana's latest legislative effort to prohibit dual currency sweepstakes casinos highlights the ongoing battle between state regulators and these types of gaming operations, which have proliferated across the country in recent years. The outcome of this bill could set an important precedent for how other states choose to address the legality of these systems.