Marcus Bennett
Compliance & News Editor, US
- US sweepstakes law
- State availability
- Responsible play (NCPG)
- iGaming news
About Marcus
Marcus covers US sweepstakes law and runs SpinVerdict's US news desk. He tracks state-by-state availability, sweepstakes promotional law, and regulator actions, and owns the editorial line on responsible play, including 1-800-GAMBLER and the NCPG. Every news item is sourced to a primary document.
Guides by Marcus (24)
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Wyoming? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Wyoming, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Wyoming residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Wisconsin? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Wisconsin, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Wisconsin residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in West Virginia? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in West Virginia, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for West Virginia residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Washington? (2026 Guide)
Washington bans online sweepstakes casinos under RCW 9.46. What the law says, why no major operator accepts Washington players, and the options that remain.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Virginia? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Virginia, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Virginia residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Vermont? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Vermont, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Vermont residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Utah? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Utah, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Utah residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Texas? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Texas, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Texas residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in South Dakota? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in South Dakota, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for South Dakota residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in South Carolina? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in South Carolina, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for South Carolina residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Rhode Island? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Rhode Island, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Rhode Island residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Pennsylvania? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Pennsylvania, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Pennsylvania residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Oregon? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Oregon, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Oregon residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Oklahoma? (2026 Guide)
Oklahoma banned online sweepstakes casinos under SB 1589, effective November 1, 2026. What the law covers, who it applies to, and the legal options for Oklahoma players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Ohio? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Ohio, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Ohio residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in North Dakota? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in North Dakota, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for North Dakota residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in North Carolina? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in North Carolina, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for North Carolina residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New York? (2026 Guide)
New York banned online sweepstakes casinos on December 5, 2025. What the law says, the $8 million VGW settlement, and the legal options for New York players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New Mexico? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in New Mexico, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for New Mexico residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New Jersey? (2026 Guide)
New Jersey banned online sweepstakes casinos on August 15, 2025. What the law says, the penalties, and the legal online casino options for New Jersey players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in New Hampshire? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in New Hampshire, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for New Hampshire residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Nevada? (2026 Guide)
Nevada made online sweepstakes casinos a felony under SB 256 from October 1, 2025. What the law says and the licensed alternatives Nevada residents have.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Nebraska? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Nebraska, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Nebraska residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Montana? (2026 Guide)
Montana banned online sweepstakes casinos under SB 555, in force since October 1, 2025. What the law says and what it means for Montana residents.
News by Marcus (9)
The State of US Sweepstakes Casinos, Q2 2026 Update
A quarterly look at the US sweepstakes market: where the established brands sit, which newer operators are gaining traction, and how the state-by-state regulatory picture has shifted in the last six months.
Michigan Sweepstakes Crackdown, What Players Need to Know
The Michigan Gaming Control Board's 2025 cease-and-desist letters effectively closed the state to major sweepstakes operators. Here's what happened, why, and what Michigan residents can do.
New York's Sweepstakes Casino Ban Explained: S5935-A and the $8M VGW Settlement
New York banned dual-currency sweepstakes casinos by statute on December 5, 2025, and VGW has since paid $8 million to settle with the Attorney General. What the law covers and what it means for New York players.
Real-Money vs Sweepstakes, DraftKings' Position and the Industry Crossover
Real-money operators like DraftKings have largely stayed out of the sweepstakes vertical, but the industry crossover question (could a major iGaming operator launch a sweepstakes brand?) keeps coming up.
Sweeps Coins Redemption Trends in 2026, Crypto, ACH, and Mobile
How US sweepstakes operators are evolving their Sweeps Coins redemption rails, Stake.us's crypto lead, the ACH speed improvements at VGW brands, and what's next.
Reading the Pattern Behind Sweepstakes Operator Market Exits
When a sweepstakes brand leaves a state, it usually reflects a calculated decision. Understanding the pattern helps players and observers alike.
Crypto Redemption and the Evolving Sweepstakes Product
Some sweepstakes operators have leaned into crypto-style redemptions and proprietary game catalogs, reshaping what the product looks like.
The State iGaming Legalization Debate and What It Means for Sweeps
As more states weigh legalizing online casinos, the future of the sweepstakes model depends partly on how those debates resolve.
Why Michigan Has Become a Flashpoint for Sweepstakes Casinos
Michigan regulators have stepped up enforcement against social sweepstakes operators, and the pressure is reshaping how the model is viewed nationally.