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Maine Senator Files Bill to Ban Casino-Style Sweepstakes Games Online
Maine Sen. Craig Hickman has submitted a proposal to outlaw real money transactions on sweepstakes casino sites in the state.
The number of US states that are considering or enacting new legislation to restrict the operations of sweepstakes-based online casino sites continues to grow, with Maine representing the latest. A new proposal from Maine Sen. Craig Hickman outlaws transactions related to dual-currency models and earmarks funds from fines associated with potential violations to support the state's resources for people who deal with problem gambling.
LD2007 amends Maine gaming laws
Hickman filed LD2007 on Dec. 5, and the bill has been assigned to the Maine Senate's Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. At this time, the committee has not scheduled any hearings on the proposal.
LD2007 takes aim at sweepstakes sites offering packages of "gold coins" or other digital currencies to people in Maine while giving a second digital currency, commonly referred to as "sweeps coins," that players can redeem for cash prizes after satisfying playthrough requirements with casino-style games. Under Hickman's framework, operating such games would substitute illegal gambling in Maine. The same applies to promoting such websites.