New Jersey Senate approves anti-sweepstakes legislation in 34-5 vote

Key Points
- Lawmakers originally proposed the bill to prohibit sweepstakes operators from conducting business in the state in March 2025
- Having passed through the Assembly with a 69-10 ruling, A5447 outlaws “sweepstakes model of wagering” and establishes new penalties for operators
The New Jersey Senate has officially passed bill A5447, which looks to prohibit sweepstakes casino operators from conducting business throughout the state, with a 34-5 vote on June 30 and now awaits final signature from Governor Phil Murphy.
If signed into law, New Jersey would become the sixth state in the US to outlaw sweepstakes operations, joining neighboring markets such as New York and Connecticut.
Bill A5447 prohibits “sweepstakes model of wagering” and establishes new penalties for operators, executed by the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs and Enforcement.
New Jersey lawmakers originally proposed the bill in March 2025, having passed through the state Assembly with a 69-10 ruling. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) released a statement on March 12, stating it “firmly opposes Assembly Bill 5447” and asking lawmakers to vote no on the legislation.
The SPGA referred to the proposed legislation as “a reckless attempt to ban sweepstakes” in the Garden State.
Good to know: Louisiana lawmakers approved legislation that would outlaw sweepstakes casino operators, but Governor Jeff Landry vetoed the bill before it could be put into effect
On June 23, California lawmakers also introduced legislation that would prohibit sweepstakes casino operators from conducting business within the state.
While the bill’s terms were not made public at the time of writing, IGA Conference Chairman Victor Rocha and Light & Wonder Global Head of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel Howard Glaser confirmed its introduction.
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