Indiana Senate Advances HB1052 Back to House, Ban on Sweepstakes Imminent

Indiana Senate approved an amended version of House Bill 1052 and returned the measure to the House, keeping legislation targeting sweepstakes casinos on track during the final days of the session.

Good to Know

• Senate passed HB1052 by a 37 to 8 vote after third reading.
• Lawmakers must act before the Feb. 27 session deadline.
• Proposal introduces penalties tied to operation or use of sweepstakes casino platforms.

HB1052, introduced in December by Representative Ethan Manning, proposes a ban on sweepstakes casino activity alongside updates tied to horse racing regulation and related gaming provisions. Legislation outlines both civil and criminal consequences for entities or individuals involved with platforms defined by the state as illegal gambling operations.

Earlier in the process, House Committee on Public Policy adopted amendments refining how sweepstakes casinos are defined. Language expanded from describing a dual currency platform to referencing a dual currency or multi currency payment structure. Lawmakers also clarified how users convert digital credits into cash prizes and specified that sweepstakes style games operate through internet based systems.

House members passed the bill in January by an 86 to 12 vote, sending it to the Senate in early February. Senate review resulted in limited additional revisions rather than a broad rewrite. One added provision states that the definition does not include offerings from the state lottery commission or peer to peer skill based poker games.

Because of those Senate adjustments, the bill must return to the House for concurrence before it can proceed further. Legislative calendar creates urgency, with lawmakers needing to finalize identical language before adjournment on Feb. 27.

If enacted, law would take effect July 1 and would likely position Indiana as the seventh state to prohibit sweepstakes casino operations, reflecting a broader national shift as regulators examine promotional gaming models that mirror traditional online casino play without holding licenses.

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