Indiana lawmakers introduced House Bill 1052, a potential measure targeting sweepstakes, and the bill received its first reading in the state Senate. Republican representative Ethan Manning introduced the bill.
The bill’s progress could affect sweepstakes operators in Indiana if lawmakers advance it.
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Indiana lawmakers have passed a bill to ban online sweepstakes games and include sportsbooks in the state’s voluntary exclusion programme. The available report does not state the bill’s status beyond passage by lawmakers.
ARB Interactive co-founder and CEO Patrick Fechtmeyer urged Indiana lawmakers to regulate and tax sweepstakes gaming rather than ban it, according to his remarks reported on 18 February. He said a framework proposed with the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance would register operators, charge a fee and apply sales tax to virtual currency purchases; the group estimates the model could generate more than $20 million annually for the state.
Indiana lawmakers advanced HB 1052 with an 8-0 committee vote, after the House had passed it 87-11, according to the report. A proposed amendment to regulate and tax sweepstakes casinos was not introduced after legislative leadership opposed the approach, leaving the bill to proceed without that alternative.
Indiana’s House advanced HB1052 after its second reading and ordered the bill engrossed, according to the report. The proposal would ban sweepstakes games using dual- or multi-currency systems, allow civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation and take effect on 1 July if approved; it now faces a third reading.
Indiana’s House Public Policy Committee is scheduled to debate House Bill 1052 on 6 January, a proposal targeting online sweepstakes games using dual currencies. The bill also covers horse-racing licences, sports-betting exclusions and rules for tobacco and e-cigarette wholesalers.