Pennsylvania Bill Targets Sweepstakes Casinos With $500,000 Fines

Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced a bill that would outlaw online sweepstakes casinos in the state and hit violators with fines of up to $500,000. Here is what is actually being proposed, based on reporting from Covers, PlayUSA and Responsible Gambling.

What HB 2801 would do

House Bill 2801, sponsored by Rep. Russ Diamond and co-sponsored by Reps. Jacob Banta, Bradley Roae, Dan Moul and Jeanne McNeill, would make it unlawful to operate, conduct or promote online sweepstakes games in Pennsylvania. The language also reaches anyone who supports or assists in running those games, which could sweep in vendors and service providers, not just operators.

The bill defines sweepstakes gaming broadly: slots, table games like blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, lottery-style games, bingo, instant-win titles and sports wagering could all fall inside it when offered through a dual-currency system where coins can be exchanged for prizes or cash equivalents. Social casino games with no cash prizes would not be covered.

The penalties

Violators would face fines of not less than $50,000 and not more than $500,000 per violation. The bill would give both the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the state Attorney General new investigative and cease-and-desist powers. That matters because the PGCB told lawmakers back in April 2025 that existing law left it nearly powerless: it had sent 18 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators but could not bring criminal cases, since the Gaming Act's definitions only cover licensed operators.

Where it stands

HB 2801 was pre-filed in late September and referred to the House Gaming Oversight Committee, where Diamond serves as co-chair. No votes or committee meetings have been scheduled yet, and the bill is expected to be considered in the 2027 legislative session, which begins January 5. In other words: this is a proposal, not a law.

The bigger picture

Pennsylvania is not alone. Five states passed sweepstakes casino bans in 2025, including California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey and New York, and similar bills have been filed in Indiana, Florida, Maine and Massachusetts for 2026. Wyoming lawmakers have moved in the same direction alongside Pennsylvania. The PGCB has argued that many sweepstakes sites operate offshore from places like Cyprus and Malta while recreating casino experiences on phones and laptops.

What it means for players

If HB 2801 becomes law, sweepstakes casinos would likely block Pennsylvania players, as many already do in states like Washington and Michigan. Nothing changes today: the bill has not passed, and operators set their own state eligibility lists. If you play from Pennsylvania, keep an eye on the 2027 session, and always check each operator's current terms before signing up. No purchase is ever necessary to play at a sweepstakes casino, and free entry methods remain available regardless of what happens with this bill.