Monthly Gaming Roundup - June

PoliciPro Spotlight: Sweepstakes Casino Crackdown Continues

The regulatory tide against sweepstakes-style casinos continued to gain momentum in May, as Tennessee and Oklahoma lawmakers both moved to ban operations. In Washington, D.C., lawmakers held a hearing on legislation that would legalize iGaming while simultaneously banning sweepstakes casinos, signaling that even pro-gaming jurisdictions are drawing a line between regulated iGaming and the sweepstakes model. As more states weigh in, the sweepstakes casinos face a rapidly closing window to advocate for or adapt to a regulatory framework that will leave them with few remaining legal markets to operate in.

The Latest Updates in Gaming

Sports Betting

May 4: New Jersey legislators introduced AB 4838, which would increase the state's sports betting tax rate on World Cup bets by 10%. Lawmakers hope that these new taxes will help offset the cost of hosting the games. 

May 13: Colorado lawmakers approved SB 131, which would strengthen sports betting protections, including banning the use of credit cards to fund accounts. The bill is now on its way to be signed by Gov. Jared Polis. 

Casinos

May 6: The Missouri State Senate Select Committee on Gaming unanimously rejected HB2989, which would have legalized video lottery terminals at certain retail locations in the state. The bill would have taxed 3% on video lottery profits, a $250 annual per-machine fee for disability, and licensed machines would have had to pay out 80% of wagers.

May 14: The Oklahoma legislature successfully overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of SB 1589, which would have banned sweepstake-style casinos despite Governor Kevin Stitt’s veto of SB1589, which would have banned them in the state. 

May 26: Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed HB 1885/SB 2136, which banned sweepstakes casinos in the state. This makes Tennessee the latest state to ban sweepstakes casinos

May 22: A San Francisco judge granted an injunction to temporarily pause new regulations targeting cardrooms in the Golden State. These regulations, introduced in February by the California Attorney General, would have limited the ability of cardrooms to offer table games.  

May 28: Caesars Entertainment announced that Fertitta Entertainment will acquire the gaming company and all of its properties for $17.6 billion. Caesar’s Board of Directors has already approved the transaction and is recommending that shareholders approve as well. 

iGaming

May 4: The Washington, D.C. Committee on Human Services held a hearing on the Internet Gaming and Consumer Protection Act of 2026, which would legalize iGaming in the District. The bill would not only legalize iGaming but also ban sweepstakes casinos and provide existing sportsbooks an expedited timeline for licensure.   

May 12: In 2025, US commercial gaming revenue reached a record $78.62 billion, a 9.1% increase from 2024. iGaming revenue also reached a record high in 2025 at $10.7 billion, a 27.6% increase from the previous year. 

Taxes & Revenue

May 19: Michigan recorded its third-best iGaming revenue month in April with a GGR of $303.4 million, a 22.5% increase compared to 2025.