Updated October 2026
Delaware Legal

Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Delaware? (2026 Guide)

MB
Marcus Bennett
Compliance & News Editor, US
Updated: September 2026
6 min read

Sweepstakes casinos are not banned in Delaware, but most major brands have left. The state's Division of Gaming Enforcement sent cease-and-desist letters in February 2025. VGW has since ended Sweeps Coin play there; Stake.us, McLuck, Hello Millions, and High 5 Casino exclude Delaware; and RealPrize and LoneStar stopped issuing Sweeps Coins on August 21, 2026. Delaware has legal state-monopoly online casino, lottery-operated since 2013. This guide explains the legal basis, age requirements, the operators that still accept Delaware players, and tax implications for Delaware residents.

Sweepstakes casinos in Delaware operate under the standard federal sweepstakes promotional framework (18 U.S.C. § 1302) plus Delaware's state-level sweepstakes statutes administered by the Office of the Attorney General. Status: Limited, most major brands have left.

Delaware has no statute aimed at sweepstakes casinos, but its Division of Gaming Enforcement sent cease-and-desist letters to operators in February 2025. VGW has ended Sweeps Coin play in Delaware; Stake.us, McLuck, Hello Millions, and High 5 Casino exclude the state; and RealPrize and LoneStar stopped issuing Sweeps Coins on August 21, 2026, with final redemptions by September 21, 2026.

For specific legal questions about gambling or sweepstakes in Delaware, consult the Office of the Attorney General (https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/) or a licensed attorney. SpinVerdict does not provide legal advice.

Minimum age requirements

The minimum age for sweepstakes casinos in Delaware is 21+ at most major brands; a few smaller sites accept 18+.

Operators apply their own age policies on top of the state minimum. Stake.us, Chumba Casino, Pulsz, McLuck, and High 5 Casino now require players to be 21 or older in every state they serve. Verify the specific operator's age requirement for Delaware on their terms-of-service before signing up.

The following operators currently accept Delaware residents (verified at the time of writing, operators adjust state lists frequently, so confirm on the operator's signup flow before committing):

• Pulsz, see our full review at /online-casinos/pulsz/

• WOW Vegas, see our full review at /online-casinos/wow-vegas/

If signup is blocked from your address, the operator has decided not to operate in Delaware. Don't rely on outdated affiliate-site lists; the operator's signup flow is the authoritative source.

Taxes on sweepstakes winnings in Delaware

Sweepstakes prize winnings are taxable as "other income" under US federal law (IRS Publication 525). Operators typically issue Form 1099-MISC if your cumulative redemptions from that operator hit $2,000 or more in a calendar year (the threshold was $600 for payments made before 2026). You're responsible for reporting prize income on your federal return regardless of whether a 1099 is issued.

Delaware imposes state income tax on top of federal. Your sweepstakes prize income is typically treated as ordinary income at the state level. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

Responsible play resources in Delaware

The federal 1-800-GAMBLER 24/7 helpline (operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling) is available to anyone in the US, including Delaware residents. State-specific helpline for Delaware: 1-800-GAMBLER.

Self-exclusion in the sweepstakes model is per-operator, there is no nationwide equivalent of the UK's GamStop. NCPG maintains a state-by-state directory of state-level self-exclusion programs and resources at ncpgambling.org/programs-resources/state-resources.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

Delaware sweepstakes FAQ

Q: Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Delaware? A: They are not banned by statute, but most major brands left after the state's Division of Gaming Enforcement sent cease-and-desist letters in February 2025. Only a few sites still accept Delaware players.

Q: What's the minimum age in Delaware? A: 21+ at most major brands; a few smaller sites accept 18+. Check the operator's terms before signing up.

Q: Can I redeem Sweeps Coins for cash in Delaware? A: Yes, redemption rails vary by operator (ACH, Skrill, crypto at Stake.us, mailed check at VGW brands). Minimum redemption threshold typically 50 SC = $50.

Q: Do I owe taxes on sweepstakes winnings in Delaware? A: Federal income tax applies in all cases. Delaware also imposes state income tax on sweepstakes income.

MB

Marcus Bennett

Compliance & News Editor, US

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.

8 Years in iGaming