Louisiana has banned online sweepstakes casinos. Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 53 on May 11, 2026 and House Bill 883 on May 15, 2026, and the ban took effect on August 1, 2026. This guide covers what the law changed, which operators left, and the legal alternatives for Louisiana players.
Legal status in Louisiana
Sweepstakes casinos are banned in Louisiana. House Bill 53 (Act 48) adds sweepstakes gaming to Louisiana's racketeering predicate offenses, and House Bill 883 (Act 182) makes dual-currency games that simulate gambling a form of gambling by computer. Operators face up to $100,000, five years in prison, or both; suppliers, geolocation providers, promoters, and media affiliates that knowingly support them face up to $20,000, five years, or both; merchant payment processors may not process the transactions; and players face up to $500, six months in jail, or both. Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 53 on May 11, 2026 and House Bill 883 on May 15, 2026, and both took effect on August 1, 2026.
Louisiana has retail casinos and legal online sports betting, but no licensed online casino. That leaves no legal online casino product for Louisiana residents.
This is not legal advice. For specific questions, consult a licensed attorney or your state regulator.
Minimum age requirements
Age limits are moot while the ban is in force, because there is no legal online sweepstakes casino operating in Louisiana. Across the US, most major brands now require players to be 21 or older, and a few smaller sites accept 18+.
Can you still play in Louisiana?
No. Following the ban, the major operators have stopped accepting Louisiana players. Players who use a site that still accepts them can face a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
If a site still lets you sign up from a Louisiana address, it is operating against state law; avoid it.
Taxes on sweepstakes winnings in Louisiana
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.
Louisiana 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 Louisiana
The federal 1-800-GAMBLER 24/7 helpline (operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling) is available to anyone in the US, including Louisiana residents. State-specific helpline for Louisiana: 1-877-770-7867 (Louisiana).
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.
Louisiana sweepstakes FAQ
Q: Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Louisiana? A: No. Louisiana banned them under House Bill 53 and House Bill 883, which took effect on August 1, 2026.
Q: Can I still sign up or redeem Sweeps Coins in Louisiana? A: No. The major operators have stopped accepting Louisiana players, and any site still doing so is operating outside state law.
Q: When did the Louisiana ban take effect? A: Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 53 on May 11, 2026 and House Bill 883 on May 15, 2026; both took effect on August 1, 2026.
Q: What can I play legally in Louisiana? A: Louisiana's riverboat and land-based casinos offer in-person play, and online sports betting is legal in the parishes that approved it.