Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in Florida?

The 2026 ban bills died

Two companion bills, SB 1404 (Sen. Corey Simon) and HB 1467, would have prohibited internet gambling and internet sports betting outside the Seminole Tribe's gaming compact with Florida - broad enough that it would have effectively banned the sweepstakes-casino model too, as a third-degree felony. Neither bill was included in the narrow special-session extension (limited to the state budget), so both died without a floor vote.

But the Attorney General sued anyway

On August 19, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Stake (Stake.us) and VGW - the operator behind VGW's own brands, including Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker. The suits argue these platforms offer illegal gambling (slots, blackjack, poker) despite the sweepstakes label, relying on Florida's gambling-loss recovery laws and its Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act rather than a sweepstakes-specific statute. The AG also named payment facilitators Worldpay, Trustly, Praxis, and Breeze Labs. The state is seeking a permanent injunction barring these operators from Florida, recovery of consumer losses, disgorgement of profits, and civil penalties.

As of this writing, no court has ruled on or granted that injunction, so the named operators continue to accept Florida players while the case proceeds.

The crackdown has widened to advertising

On September 26, 2026, Uthmeier sent letters to Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, and TikTok demanding each explain in writing how it keeps sweepstakes-casino ads - naming Stake, Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker specifically - away from Florida residents, with responses due October 23, 2026. His office has stated it intends to pursue "both those who operate and those who facilitate" these platforms, which signals the ad-platform letters may not be the last step.

What this means for you

Florida currently has no law that makes playing at a sweepstakes casino illegal for a player, and the operators named in the lawsuit are still operating there as of this writing. But this is clearly the most legally active front-line state right now outside of states with an outright statutory ban, and it directly names two of the best-known brands in the category. If you're a Florida resident, keep an eye on this page, and don't be surprised if operators start geo-blocking Florida voluntarily before any court ruling forces the issue.

Compiled from public reporting current through early November 2026. This is an active, fast-moving legal situation - this page is general information, not legal advice, and we'll update it as the lawsuits progress. If you have questions about how this applies to your own situation, consult a licensed attorney.