Maine became the fourth US state to ban dual-currency sweepstakes casinos in 2026, with LD 1898 signed into law by Governor Janet Mills and effective April 8, 2026.
Maine's LD 1898 amended the state's gaming laws to explicitly prohibit dual-currency sweepstakes games.
Key facts: - Effective date: April 8, 2026 - Signed by: Governor Janet Mills - What's banned: Dual-currency sweepstakes casino games (Gold Coin + Sweepstakes Coin model) - What's still legal: Free social casino games (no purchase, no SC redemptions)
Maine joins Indiana (January 2026), Tennessee (April 2026), and Mississippi (March 2026) in banning the dual-currency sweepstakes model.
Following the April 8 effective date, major sweepstakes operators have blocked Maine IP addresses. Confirmed affected: Chumba Casino, Pulsz, WowVegas, BetRivers.net, High 5 Casino.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Maine? No. As of April 8, 2026, dual-currency sweepstakes casino games are banned in Maine under LD 1898.
Can I use a VPN to access sweepstakes casinos in Maine? Using a VPN violates platform terms of service. Most operators use additional verification beyond IP geolocation. Not recommended — risk of account bans and forfeiture of accumulated coins.
What states still allow sweepstakes casinos? Most US states still permit sweepstakes casinos. For a full state-by-state breakdown, see our Sweepstakes Casino Legal States 2026 guide.
Last updated: April 30, 2026.