Gov. Jeff Landry has vetoed a bill that proposed to ban sweepstakes casinos in Louisiana, citing it as unnecessary.
The bill had gained unanimous support across both parties and looked set to be put into law after the House voted in favor of it last week. The 99-0 approval in the House followed a 39-0 vote in favor in the Senate.
Landry stated that he was vetoing it because the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) is already active in fighting illegal gambling platforms, and the operators the bill is targeting are already banned.
He wrote, “I am writing to inform you that I have vetoed Senate Bill 181 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. This bill attempts to criminalize certain secondary gambling activities on the internet that are already prohibited in Louisiana.”
Sweepstakes to continue in Louisiana?
There are approximately 90 sweepstakes casinos that operate in Louisiana, with residents able to access major platforms such as Stake, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots.
The bill would have prohibited dual-currency gambling, the model that sweepstakes rely on to skirt gambling laws. As a result of the veto, it is likely operators will continue in the state.
Landry, however, believes that the LGCB has enough control over the industry already. He went on to add, “Our current Louisiana Gaming Control Board has the regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction over all aspects of gaming activities and operations pursuant to the Louisiana Gaming Control Law.”
“Furthermore, the Board, the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office are all tasked with ensuring the initial and continuing suitability of all gaming licensees and permittees and eliminating, to the extent possible, known criminal and corrupt influences on Louisiana’s gaming industry.”
The LGCB has previously issued cease-and-desist letters to platforms it accuses of running unlicensed gambling. But the explicit banning of dual-currency gambling could have made it easier to target sweepstakes casinos.
Bill could have disrupted the Board’s enforcement
Landry disagreed and thought the language had the potential to disrupt the enforcement actions being taken by the regulator. The story was first broken by The Closing Line, which gave Landry’s statement in full.
He continued his statement by noting that the LGCB are already actively fighting illegal gambling platforms, “The Board, the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and the LSP Gaming Division are all monitoring this type of activity and will continue to issue additional cease-and-desist letters to similar illegal offshore wagering and illegal online sweepstakes companies that intentionally design their business models to circumvent Louisiana gaming laws and regulations.
“The Board and its regulatory partners will take further action as deemed necessary to enforce state gaming laws, protect patrons and bettors, and maintain the integrity of Louisiana’s gaming industry.
“The Board remains dedicated to promoting a secure and regulated gaming environment in Louisiana. As such, this bill is a solution in search of a problem that is already being solved by our current system, and some of the language in this bill is overly broad and could be interpreted in an adverse manner, which may harm or impede our current enforcement actions taken against these bad actors.”
He concluded by stating, “For these reasons, Senate Bill 181 is not necessary.”
SPGA and SGLA welcome the veto
Two lobby groups advocating for the legality of sweepstakes casinos will welcome the news that Landry is not signing off on the bill. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) had spoken out against the bill, stating, “This bill carelessly conflates legal entertainment with illegal gambling, without evidence of harm. It also threatens Louisiana’s economy by stifling digital innovation and driving compliant companies out of the state. It’s a step backward for consumer choice, lawful innovation, and common sense.”
Additionally, online casino operators formed another group, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), fronted by VGW. The SGLA had also heavily criticized the possibility of Louisiana enacting the bill, commenting, “Louisiana residents will be abruptly cut off from popular, free‑to‑play online games enjoyed by millions nationwide after lawmakers fell for a campaign of deliberate misinformation from parties with clear vested interests that was designed to eliminate legitimate competition.”
Landry said that he plans to call a special session of the legislature, so there is still the possibility that lawmakers could push for the bill to be enacted, However, it is very rare that a Governor’s veto is overturned. Only three times since 1974 have legislators overridden vetoes and the last of these, in 2022, came when the Governor was a Democrat and the House was controlled by Republicans.
Landry is a Republican and the party control both chambers in Louisiana at the moment.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
