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Minnesota Senate advances bill to ban sweepstakes casinos

Legal Writer

Publish Date: May 04, 2026

Fact checked by: Matt Moreno

Key Points

The Minnesota Senate approved SF 4474 62-3 on April 30.
The bill defines sweepstakes casinos as gambling and bans their operation.
Bipartisan support augments legislation’s chances of passage in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Minnesota is closer to joining the states that have explicitly outlawed the operation of online casino-style games that use a dual-currency system to award sweepstakes prizes to players. The Minnesota Senate emphatically approved legislation toward that end on Friday, progressing the bill to the lower chamber of the state legislature.

Due to the partisan composition of the Minnesota House of Representatives, the backing of this proposal suggests that it might receive substantial consideration. However, the time to do so is short.

General views of the Minnesota State Capitol on October 22, 2023 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

(Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Minnesota Senate moves to ban sweepstakes casinos

The Minnesota Senate took up SF 4474 on April 30, giving it a veto-proof margin of approval and preparing the bill for transmission to the House. The proposal is narrowly focused on sweepstakes casinos in the state.

As approved by the Senate, SF 4474 defines an “online sweepstakes game.”

a game, contest, or promotion that is available on the Internet or accessible on a mobile device, computer terminal, or similar access device
utilizes a dual-currency system of payment, allowing the player to exchange the currency for a prize, award, cash, cash equivalent, or chance to win a prize, award, cash, or cash equivalent
and simulates casino-style or another form of gambling

The bill also defines a “dual-currency” payment system as one that “allows a person to play or participate in a simulated gambling program for direct or indirect consideration, including consideration associated with a related product, service, or activity, and for which the person playing the simulated gambling program may become eligible for a prize, award, cash, cash equivalent, or chance to win a prize.”

SF 4474 prohibits the conduction, operation, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game in Minnesota. It also bars licensed service providers like payment processors from contracting with online sweepstakes game operators.

The proposal has four co-sponsors, evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. Republican Sen. Jordan Rasmusson is the primary sponsor, which may aid SF 4474’s chances in the matter of weeks the House has to take up the bill.

Divided House has little time left to consider SF 4474

While Democrats have a majority in the Minnesota Senate, the state House is evenly divided on partisan lines. The bipartisan support in the Senate may bode well for getting the bill through the House to Gov. Tim Walz.

However, the scheduled last day for the 2026 session for the Minnesota legislature is May 18. If the House amends SF 4474, that might put the bill’s sponsors into a time crunch to reach concurrence through either another vote of the full Senate or a conference committee.

Minnesota tribal casino operators have testified in support of the bill, which may be another show of support that facilitates the measure’s rapid adoption. The same goes for religious organizations in Minnesota, who have also shared positive testimony.

Law enforcement has also voiced support for more targeted action against sweepstakes casinos. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent cease-and-desist demands to the operators of multiple sweepstake casino websites in November 2025.

SF 4474 would give prosecutors in the state more leverage to pursue action against sweepstakes casino operators if it becomes law. Although the time is drawing short, the bill is on that path.

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