Sweepstakes Win Streak: Third Anti-Innovation Bill Dies This Week as Arkansas and Maryland Pull the Plug

The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) is celebrating a growing streak of legislative wins on behalf of American consumers, as lawmakers across the country reject misguided efforts to ban social and sweepstakes games.

This week alone, Arkansas House Bill 1861 was officially withdrawn and Maryland Senate Bill 0860 collapsed—joining an earlier defeat in Mississippi. These three legislative failures in quick succession reflect a growing consensus: lawmakers aren’t buying the hype. These proposals are too broad, unsupported by evidence, and out of step with the public.

“These bills shared the same fatal flaw: no facts and no foundation. Legislators are consistently rejecting efforts to criminalize safe, digital entertainment enjoyed by millions of adults across the U.S.,” said a spokesperson from the SPGA.

In Maryland, SB0860 aimed to ban sweepstakes entirely but offered no data, no evidence of consumer harm, and no proof of casino cannibalization. In Arkansas, HB1861 included provisions that would have restricted dual-currency online gaming and handed exclusive control to licensed casino operators. Both bills died without a floor vote.

Some lawmakers also raised concerns about the unintended consequences of such sweeping proposals—including the risk of outlawing popular travel rewards and loyalty programs used by millions of Americans.

“When legislation threatens everyday perks from airlines, hotels, and your local coffee shop, it’s clear the bills aren’t just misguided, they’re dangerously out of touch,” added the SPGA spokesperson.

These bills also sought to dismantle an entire ecosystem of legitimate businesses, including game developers, payment processors, software vendors, banks, and more—threatening thousands of jobs and undermining innovation across the economy.

The SPGA will continue to fight for the millions of Americans who enjoy these games responsibly on their phones. We’ll defend the freedom to play, advocate for smart, modern regulation, and call out the empty theatrics of performative legislation designed to generate headlines—not solve real problems.