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 Tennessee? (2026 Guide)
Tennessee banned online sweepstakes casinos under SB 2136 (took effect immediately on May 22, 2026). What changed, why operators left, and the legal options for Tennessee players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Louisiana? (2026 Guide)
Louisiana banned online sweepstakes casinos under HB 53 (takes effect on August 1, 2026). What changed, why operators left, and the legal options for Louisiana players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Maine? (2026 Guide)
Maine banned online sweepstakes casinos under LD 2007 (takes effect on July 14, 2026). What changed, why operators left, and the legal options for Maine players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Indiana? (2026 Guide)
Indiana banned online sweepstakes casinos under HB 1052 (takes effect on July 1, 2026). What changed, why operators left, and the legal options for Indiana players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in California? (2026 Guide)
California banned online sweepstakes casinos under AB 831 (took effect on January 1, 2026). What changed, why operators left, and the legal options for California players.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in the US? Complete Breakdown
The complete legal picture for US sweepstakes casinos, federal framework, state-by-state availability, recent regulatory actions, and what counts as legitimate vs. risky.
How Sweepstakes Casinos Work, Federal Sweepstakes Law Explained
A deeper legal explainer of the federal sweepstakes promotional framework, the dual-currency mechanics, AMOE requirements, and why the model is lawful where real-money casinos aren't.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Alabama? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Alabama, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Alabama residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Alaska? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Alaska, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Alaska residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Arizona? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Arizona, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Arizona residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Arkansas? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Arkansas, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Arkansas residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Colorado? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Colorado, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Colorado residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Connecticut? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Connecticut, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Connecticut residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Delaware? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Delaware, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Delaware residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Florida? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Florida, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Florida residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Georgia? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Georgia, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Georgia residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Hawaii? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Hawaii, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Hawaii residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Idaho? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Idaho, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Idaho residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Illinois, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Illinois residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Iowa? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Iowa, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Iowa residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Kansas? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Kansas, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Kansas residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Kentucky? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Kentucky, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Kentucky residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Maryland? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Maryland, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Maryland residents.
Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Massachusetts? (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to sweepstakes casino legality in Massachusetts, state law, recommended operators, age requirements, and tax implications for Massachusetts 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 DFS Tightens Sweepstakes Casino Guidance, Operators Exit
The New York Department of Financial Services issued guidance in 2025-26 that has prompted several major sweepstakes operators to exit New York. Here's what the guidance says and what NY players can do.
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.