Louisiana bill proposing online sweepstakes ban set for House floor reading
SB 181 was set to be read on May 29 but will now be heard on June 2 after a unanimous Senate vote
Louisiana’s proposed bill to ban online sweepstakes is set for a House floor debate on June 2, after a Senate vote passed unanimously.
Initially scheduled for May 29, the reading has been pushed back as Louisiana looks to become the second state to ban the vertical after Montana.
The day prior, senators passed the bill on its final passage reading, voting 39-0 in favour.
Senate Bill 181 proposes to outlaw sweepstakes in the Pelican State and takes aim at the “dual-currency system of payment” in its text, as part of Senator Adam Bass’ efforts to ban the contentious vertical.
Alongside Louisiana, New York has likewise edged closer to banning online sweepstakes via Assembly Bill 6745A, which was referred to the Assembly’s Committee on Ways and Means on May 28.
The Senate version of the bill, SB 5935, looks to prevent operators, suppliers, and other associated companies from offering the vertical in the Empire State.
The New York legislation read: “It is the purpose of this legislation to prohibit certain persons from operating, conducting, or promoting certain online sweepstakes games or supporting the operation, conducting, or promotion of certain online sweepstakes games.”
Australian based sweepstakes operator Virtual Gaming World announced earlier this week that it would be shuttering its operations in New York from next month.
In other sweepstakes news, a federal judge opted against ruling on whether Stake.us was operating a sweepstakes casino illegally.
The case was brought forward by California resident Dennis Boyle at the end of March, with the case being referred to arbitration instead.
A spokesperson for the Social and Promotional Games Association said: “This ruling affirms what we’ve long said: Social sweepstakes sites are not gambling.
“They are free-to-play games enjoyed responsibly by millions of American adults, and no purchase is ever necessary to play or have a chance to win prizes.
“Anyone can file a lawsuit making any claims they like. This ruling is a reminder that facts – and the law – still matter.”