Maine became the second state in 2026 to ban sweepstakes casinos after Governor Janet Mills signed LD 2007 into law on April 6. The new law says online sweepstakes games that use dual-currency systems and resemble casino products count as unlawful gambling under Maine law.
The law does not stop at operators. It is also applicable to companies or people that promote or support these sites, making Maine another state to ban sweepstakes casinos in the US.
LD 2007 targets the dual-currency model used by many sites
LD 2007 creates a new section in Maine law for online sweepstakes games. It covers internet-based games, contests, or promotions that use a dual-currency payment system and simulate casino-style play, including slots, poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, and sports wagering.
That definition is wide enough to cover many sweepstakes casino sites. These platforms often let users buy one type of coin while also giving out promotional coins that can later be exchanged for prizes or cash-like rewards. The law also allows Maine’s Gambling Control Unit to set clearer rules on what a dual-currency system means.
This new system fixes many of the legal and regulatory concerns around sweepstakes casinos, where the main focus is on their dual-currency model.
The law includes fines and licence penalties
The law sets civil fines of $10,000 to $100,000 for anyone found to operate, promote, or support an online sweepstakes game. Money collected from those penalties will go to the state’s Gambling Addiction Prevention and Treatment Fund.
Maine also added the licence penalties. If a licensed gambling business breaks the law, the relevant regulator must revoke that licence. A person or company found in violation can also be blocked from getting certain gambling licences in the state later on.
This makes the law stronger than a simple warning or enforcement notice. It creates direct financial risk and also threatens future access to the licensed market.
Maine move makes 2026 tougher for sweepstakes operators
Maine’s new law adds more pressure on sweepstakes casino operators in 2026. State lawmakers across the country have taken a closer look at dual-currency casino products this year, and some are now moving beyond criticism to formal legal bans.
With LD 2007 now signed, Maine has made its position clear. The state has given regulators a firmer basis to act, while operators and their marketing partners now face a market where the sweepstakes casino model is no longer allowed.
