The Bill That Makes It Official
Rep. Scott Cepicky has introduced House Bill 1885, a proposal that would make the operation, promotion, or commercial support of online sweepstakes games illegal in Tennessee. Not frowned upon, not discouraged, just straight up illegal.
The bill defines online sweepstakes games broadly, targeting platforms that use virtual currencies to let players engage in casino-style games. This includes games like slots, poker, table games, bingo, lottery-style games, even unlicensed sports betting, with the ability to exchange those currencies for cash, prizes, or cash equivalents.
In other words: if it looks like gambling, plays like gambling, and pays out like gambling, Tennessee wants it gone.
And if the bill passes, it would take effect immediately. No waiting period.
Tennessee Already Ran the Experiment
What makes this bill different is context, because Tennessee isn’t just reacting to a hypothetical problem, it’s responding to a problem it already tackled.
Last year, Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti’s office sent cease-and-desist letters to more than 40 sweepstakes operators. Most of them complied, with big names like Chumba Casino, Stake, High 5, Pulsz, and Global Poker exiting the state.
At the time, Skrmetti made it clear he didn’t see sweepstakes casinos as a gray area waiting for clarification. In his view, they were illegal gambling platforms hiding behind softer language.
“These platforms work hard to look legitimate,” he said. “But at the end of the day, they are not.”
HB 1885 picks up exactly where that campaign left off. The letters pushed operators out. The bill is meant to make sure they stay out.
Why This Bill Hits Harder Than Most
Instead of relying on traditional gambling laws, HB 1885 uses civil enforcement tools, and that makes a big difference. Violations would be handled under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, not a criminal court docket.
What does that mean in practice?
Companies could face civil penalties between $5,000 and $15,000 per violation. The Attorney General and the Sports Wagering Council would have broader authority to step in quickly. Courts could issue injunctions to shut platforms down without waiting for a long legal fight. No drawn-out trials. No lawyers and verdicts and all that nonsense. Just pressure, penalties, and fast exits.
The bill also gives the Attorney General real power during investigations. Operators can be required to turn over documents and records under oath. Ignore those requests, and the fines stack up, one document at a time.
Now that’s how to make a statement.
No Loopholes, No Fine Print
One of the most striking parts of HB 1885 is how intentionally broad it is.
There’s no deep dive into sweepstakes mechanics. No debate over “social” versus “real money.” No effort to carve out clever exceptions.
The bill takes a simple position: If a platform uses virtual currency to enable gambling-like activity with real-world rewards, and does so without a license, it’s illegal.
That makes it hard to work around. And even harder to relaunch quietly.
Tennessee Isn’t Acting Alone
With this bill, Tennessee becomes the tenth state in 2026 to introduce legislation targeting sweepstakes casinos. It joins a growing list of states that have either moved to ban sweepstakes casinos outright or pushed them out through aggressive enforcement.
Last year, half a dozen states closed the door on sweepstakes casinos outright. This year is about sealing what’s left open.
The pattern is consistent: warnings first, enforcement next, legislation last. And at this point, tolerance is gone.
What Happens Next
HB 1885 is now in the House, and if it clears the legislature and reaches the governor’s desk, Tennessee would become one of the most hostile states in the country for sweepstakes-style gaming.
Not because of complicated regulations, but because the state no longer wants the model at all.
For any operators still watching from the sidelines, the message is clear: the clock is ticking, and this time, Tennessee isn’t bluffing.
Blaise Luis
