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Indiana is the latest US state to contemplate banning sweepstakes casinos.
Unlike traditional real money online casinos, the sweepstakes model is an online platform that allows users to play casino-style games, including slots, bingo, table games, and even live casino games, using virtual currency instead of real money. These types of online casinos rely on additional real money purchases once the free play component is exhausted. In contrast, real money online casinos require a small deposit that can be increased through wins. Free play and cash bonuses are typically offered as well.
Indiana state Rep. Ethan Manning’s bill looking to ban the sweepstakes online casinosadvanced to the upper chamber after easy passage in the House on Monday.
House Bill 1052, which established definitions of a sweepstakes game and both the civil and criminal penalties for violating state law, passed by an 87-11 vote.
The bill targets operators who simulate internet casino gaming, mobile sports wagering, video poker, lottery, and bingo and places The Indiana Gaming Commission in charge of policing this sector by levying fines of $100,000 for operators. Manning is also calling for criminal penalties of operators.
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) would like to establish a framework in the state that would help with “enforcing strict age verification, data privacy, and responsible gameplay protections. They claim the industry generates $20 million in annual revenue.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
