Pennsylvania HB 2801 Proposes Sweepstakes Casino Ban And $500,000 Fines

Pennsylvania HB 2801 would ban online sweepstakes casinos and impose fines of $50,000 to $500,000 per violation. The proposal remains before the House Gaming Oversight Committee.

Good To Know

• The ban would cover operators, promoters and businesses that help run prohibited games.
• Social casino games without cash or equivalent prizes would remain exempt.
• HB 2801 proposes gaming license revocation and restrictions on future licenses.

Pennsylvania Sweepstakes Casino Bill Targets Enforcement Gaps

Pennsylvania regulators already sent 18 cease and desist notices to sweepstakes platforms before lawmakers proposed the ban. At an April 2025 hearing, PGCB Chief Enforcement Counsel Cyrus Pitre said every recipient complied, but new platforms kept entering the market. Chief Counsel Steve Cook also described limits on enforcement against businesses outside PGCB oversight.

HB 2801 would give the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board powers to investigate, hold hearings, issue subpoenas and order platforms to stop. The Attorney General could investigate independently or alongside the board.

The proposal targets online casino games that use two currencies and allow players to redeem currency for cash or other prizes. Slots, poker, table games, bingo, lottery games and sports wagering could fall within that definition. Games without redeemable rewards would stay outside the ban.

Meanwhile, the sweepstakes provisions form part of a broader gambling overhaul covering licensing, taxes, revenue distribution and responsible gaming. Russ Diamond sponsors the bill, with Jacob Banta, Bradley Roae, Dan Moul and Jeanne McNeill listed as co sponsors. The committee received it on September 24, 2026, during the current legislative session.

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