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New York Sweepstakes Casino Ban Bill Hits Final Step in Enactment Process
New York S 5935 is now with Gov. Kathy Hochul, with its possible enactment bearing implications for the future of online gaming in the state.
A bill that would ban online casino-style games based on sweepstakes with real money prizes is merely a signature from Gov. Kathy Hochul away from becoming law in New York. Should Hochul sign the legislation or let it pass into law, it could help legislators' ambitions to pave the way for some of the top online casinos to expand into New York.
S5935 hits Hochul's desk
The legislation, S5935, last saw action on June 17, when it was returned to the New York Senate following strong approval from the New York Assembly. The Senate had already voted to advance the bill, meaning that its fate was up to Hochul.
The bill hit Hochul's desk on Dec. 1, giving her 30 days to act. S5935 will become law if Hochul signs it or takes no action.
In the event of a veto, the bill did pass both chambers of the legislature with a sufficient margin to override her veto. However, it's not a foregone conclusion that support would remain as strong in that circumstance.
For New Yorkers who would someday like to be able to receive similar casino welcome bonus offers that people enjoy in neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, S5935's enactment could be a positive development.
Ramifications of S5935's approval
The legislation targets websites that offer casino-style games with chances at cash prizes in a sweepstakes format. It aims to curtail their business in New York by making it a violation of state law to offer casino games online using a dual-currency system.
On these sites, people can purchase "coins" in one of the currencies they can use to play the games online and receive an allotment of the second currency as a "bonus." While the currency they can purchase cannot be exchanged for prizes, the bonus currency can be exchanged for cash payments after it has been risked according to the site's conditions.
Law enforcement in New York had already taken action on the matter prior to the legislature voting in favor of S5935. Attorney General Letitia James announced in June that the operators of 26 sites with sweepstakes casino games had responded favorably to demands to stop doing business in New York.
S5935 would give law enforcement in New York even more latitude to pursue charges against the operators of such sites. It could also clear the air for more discussions about legal iGaming in New York.
The same New York senator that sponsored S5935, Joe Addabbo, has also been a vocal proponent of regulated online casino play in New York for years. With the legality of sweepstakes casinos settled in state law and downstate physical casinos licenses nearly handled, 2026 might be the time for Addabbo's measures to get more serious consideration
If New Yorkers are ever to be able to take advantage of offers like the DraftKings Casino promo code bonus for new players, S5935's passage would play a role in that circumstance. Claim your DraftKings Casino promo code bonus by clicking here:
At this time, the fate of S5935 lies in Hochul's pen.
