Montana Might Be the First to Ban Sweeps in 2025

I mentioned in another thread that a few states were getting serious about sweepstakes regulation, but Montana might be the first to actually push something across the finish line.

Senate Bill 555 just cleared both chambers of the state legislature and is now sitting on Gov. Gianforte’s desk. Considering the bill saw broad bipartisan support, a veto seems unlikely. If signed, it’ll become the first anti-sweeps law of the year.

The penalties are heavy: fines up to $50,000, up to 10 years in prison, and felony charges for anyone running what they define as an illegal gambling platform. It also tightens up the definition of what counts as illegal online gambling—basically any site or app offering games for cash or prizes using any currency.

Most sweeps casinos already avoid Montana, so this probably won’t shake up your day-to-day if you’re playing from out of state. But it’s a signal. And other states are heating up too:

• New York: Two companion bills (S5935 & A6745) are in play. They’ve both been amended to clarify they’re targeting casinos, not general sweepstakes like McDonald’s Monopoly.
• Louisiana: SB181 already passed the Senate and is now in the House. It goes hard—not just on operators but also affiliates, geolocation providers, and even developers. It would let the Louisiana Gaming Control Board actually shut down sites instead of just issuing warnings.
• Connecticut: SB1235 is still alive and just cleared a key vote (37-0 in Judiciary). It’s got language aimed at any platform offering online casino games or sports betting without a license.

Other states like Mississippi, Arkansas, and Maryland already saw their bills die off earlier this year, but the tide seems to be turning.

2025 could be the year the sweeps model finally hits a regulatory wall in parts of the US. It’s not over, but for players who’ve gotten used to the format being around in most states, it’s definitely time to start watching the map a little closer.