Maine Governor Janet Mills signed a law on 6 April classifying online sweepstakes games as unlawful gambling. The legislation provides for fines of $10,000 to $100,000 per offence and allows possible revocation of a state gambling licence held by an operator found in violation.
Operators offering sweepstakes-style games in Maine face criminal and regulatory enforcement, including fines and possible licence revocation.
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill banning sweepstakes casinos after the state House and Senate passed it, while the Senate separately rejected a sports betting bill, according to the report. The vetoed measure would have prohibited online casino games using dual currencies; the sports betting proposal failed in the Senate by 27 votes to 21. Stitt gave no official explanation for the veto.
Louisiana lawmakers sent House Bill 53 to Governor Jeff Landry after it passed the House 86–11 and the Senate 27–9; the measure would add specified gambling offences to the state’s racketeering law. A separate proposal, House Bill 883, would extend the definition of illegal gambling to dual-currency systems and related service providers, and remains under Senate consideration.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2749, recognising gambling disorder as an addiction, according to the report. The law amends the Substance Use Disorder Act and allows the state Department of Human Services to develop prevention, treatment and support programmes; it provides no dedicated new funding or implementation timetable.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2749 into law, bringing gambling disorder under the state’s Substance Use Disorder Act. The law expands the Illinois Department of Human Services’ support role and requires gambling establishments and master sports wagering licensees to display help information; it also provides for a dedicated hotline and website.
It was reported that Illinois Governor Jay Robert Pritzker signed Senate Bill 2749 into law. The measure expands gambling education and strengthens prevention and treatment initiatives.