Maine committee advances bill to prohibit online sweepstakes games
Maine’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted 8-2 on 18 February to advance LD 2007, which would classify operating or promoting dual-currency, casino-style sweepstakes games as unlawful gambling. The bill proposes civil penalties of $10,000 to $100,000 per violation. Gambling Control Unit director Milton Champion estimated roughly 60 such casinos operate in the state; VGW urged lawmakers to regulate and tax the model instead.
If enacted, the bill would expose sweepstakes-game operators and promoters to civil penalties in Maine.