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Assembly Bill A6745

Signed By Governor

2025-2026 Legislative Session

Prohibits online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets

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Sponsored By

Current Bill Status Via S5935 - Signed by Governor

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Bill Amendments

co-Sponsors

2025-A6745 - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S5935
Law Section:
Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
Laws Affected:
Add §912, RWB L

2025-A6745 - Summary

Prohibits online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets; sets penalties; provides for enforcement of provisions.

2025-A6745 - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6745
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Racing and Wagering
 
 AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and  breeding  law,  in
   relation  to  prohibiting  online  sweepstakes  games and revenue from
   illegal markets
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1. Legislative purpose. It is the purpose of this legislation
 to prohibit certain persons from  operating,  conducting,  or  promoting
 certain  online  sweepstakes games or supporting the operation, conduct-
 ing, or promotion of certain online sweepstakes games. This  legislation
 requires  the New York state gaming commission and/or the New York state
 attorney general to deny a person from commencing  or  continuing  oper-
 ations  if  such person or an affiliate of such person knowingly accepts
 revenue that is directly or indirectly derived from  online  sweepstakes
 games,  and  enforce  penalties  on behalf of any findings of prohibited
 engagement.
   § 2. The racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law is  amended  by
 adding a new section 912 to read as follows:
   §  912. PROHIBITION OF ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES GAMES AND REVENUE FROM ILLE-
 GAL MARKETS. 1. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS  SECTION,  "ONLINE
 SWEEPSTAKES  GAME"  SHALL  MEAN  ANY GAME, CONTEST, OR PROMOTION THAT IS
 AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AND/OR ACCESSIBLE ON A MOBILE PHONE,  COMPUTER
 TERMINAL, OR SIMILAR ACCESS DEVICE, THAT UTILIZES A DUAL-CURRENCY SYSTEM
 OF  PAYMENT  ALLOWING THE PLAYER TO EXCHANGE THE CURRENCY FOR ANY PRIZE,
 AWARD, CASH OR CASH EQUIVALENTS, OR ANY CHANCE TO WIN ANY PRICE,  AWARD,
 CASH  OR  CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND SIMULATES CASINO-STYLE GAMING, INCLUDING
 BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SLOT MACHINES, VIDEO POKER,  TABLE  GAMES  INCLUDING
 BUT  NOT LIMITED TO BLACKJACK, ROULETTE, CRAPS, AND POKER, LOTTERY GAMES
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DRAW GAMES, INSTANT WIN  GAMES,  KENO,  AND
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10101-01-5
 A. 6745                             2

co-Sponsors

2025-A6745A (ACTIVE) - Details

See Senate Version of this Bill:
S5935
Law Section:
Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law
Laws Affected:
Add §912, RWB L

2025-A6745A (ACTIVE) - Summary

Prohibits online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets; sets penalties; provides for enforcement of provisions.

2025-A6745A (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf 

                             
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                  6745--A
 
                        2025-2026 Regular Sessions
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              March 11, 2025
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. WOERNER, VANEL, KAY, ROZIC, FALL, BUTTENSCHON,
   BURDICK, SHIMSKY, McDONALD, BEEPHAN, HAWLEY, K. BROWN, GLICK,  KASSAY,
   LUNSFORD  --  read  once  and  referred to the Committee on Racing and
   Wagering -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered  reprinted  as
   amended and recommitted to said committee

 AN  ACT  to  amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
   relation to prohibiting online  sweepstakes  games  and  revenue  from
   illegal markets
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. Legislative purpose. It is the purpose of this  legislation
 to  prohibit  certain  persons  from operating, conducting, or promoting
 certain online sweepstakes games or supporting the  operation,  conduct-
 ing,  or promotion of certain online sweepstakes games. This legislation
 requires the New York state gaming commission and/or the New York  state
 attorney  general  to  deny a person from commencing or continuing oper-
 ations if such person or an affiliate of such person  knowingly  accepts
 revenue  that  is directly or indirectly derived from online sweepstakes
 games, and enforce penalties on behalf of  any  findings  of  prohibited
 engagement.
   §  2.  The racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law is amended by
 adding a new section 912 to read as follows:
   § 912. PROHIBITION OF ONLINE SWEEPSTAKES GAMES AND REVENUE FROM  ILLE-
 GAL  MARKETS.  1.  DEFINITIONS.  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE
 FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   (A) "ONLINE  SWEEPSTAKES  GAME"  SHALL  MEAN  ANY  GAME,  CONTEST,  OR
 PROMOTION  THAT  IS  AVAILABLE  ON  THE  INTERNET AND/OR ACCESSIBLE ON A
 MOBILE PHONE, COMPUTER TERMINAL, OR SIMILAR ACCESS DEVICE, THAT UTILIZES
 A DUAL-CURRENCY SYSTEM OF PAYMENT ALLOWING THE PLAYER  TO  EXCHANGE  THE
 CURRENCY  FOR  ANY  CASH  PRIZE,  CASH AWARD OR CASH EQUIVALENTS, OR ANY
 CHANCE TO WIN ANY CASH PRIZE, CASH AWARD OR CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND  SIMU-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD10101-04-5

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Joseph_Calabrese
7 months ago

Thus bill looks to take away a legitimate way for my family to enhance their income. It's unnecessary and government should focus on things like child care and early intervention programming that would support families.

Christine_Cast…
7 months ago

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill S5935, which seeks to ban sweepstakes promotions in New York State. As a constituent and someone who recognizes the economic benefits and responsible gaming practices of these platforms, I urge you to reconsider this bill and instead support the continued regulation and operation of sweepstakes-based gaming.

Sweepstakes gaming has become an important industry that contributes significantly to the economy by generating jobs, business opportunities, and state tax revenues. By banning these promotions, the state risks driving players to unregulated markets, which lack the strict consumer protections currently in place. The existing sweepstakes model operates within a structured, legal framework that ensures fair play, responsible gaming, and financial transparency.

Furthermore, modern sweepstakes gaming platforms are exceptionally committed to responsible gaming measures. They strictly prohibit individuals under the age of 21 from participating in any paid activity, and their verification systems effectively enforce this restriction. Additionally, these platforms employ advanced responsible gaming software, allowing users to track their time spent on the platform, set limits on their activity, and even voluntarily pause or restrict their accounts for extended periods. These built-in protections ensure that users remain in control of their experience.

Unlike traditional gambling platforms, sweepstakes games also offer an alternative, no-cost method of entry, ensuring that individuals can participate without any financial risk. This flexibility allows users to enjoy these platforms recreationally, removing any concerns that they promote excessive wagering.

Rather than banning an industry that actively works to protect consumers and boost the state’s economy, I urge you to advocate for sensible regulations that continue to enforce safe gaming practices while preserving personal choice and business growth.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter further and hope you will consider the perspectives of those who support a balanced approach to sweepstakes gaming in New York.

Create an account. An account allows you to sign petitions with a single click, officially support or oppose key legislation, and follow issues, committees, and bills that matter to you. When you create an account, you agree to this platform's terms of participation.