By State›New Jersey

Sweepstakes Casinos in New Jersey

BANNED in NJ9.3M residentsStatus verified September 1, 2026

Banned since August 15, 2025 — A5447 (P.L.2025, c.128) outlaws pay-to-play sweepstakes with immediate effect. NJ players still have the state’s fully regulated online casinos as a legal alternative.

Legal Status in New Jersey

Sweepstakes casinos are banned in New Jersey. A5447 — approved as P.L.2025, c.128 on August 15, 2025 and effective immediately — prohibits offering or conducting any sweepstakes in which a person present in New Jersey participates "by paying or proffering something of value", including an entry fee. That language captures the dual-currency model every sweepstakes casino runs on: Gold Coins for fun play, Sweeps Coins redeemable for cash prizes. The statute’s safe harbor makes the intent explicit — a lawful sweepstakes must offer a genuinely free method of entry, and any paid entry may only be ancillary to ordinary merchandise, expressly excluding "coins, tokens, or online credits" that can be exchanged for money.

Enforcement sits with the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Violators face civil penalties of up to $100,000 for a first offense and up to $250,000 for each subsequent offense — and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The law also lets the state order restitution of money acquired through violations, doubled where the player is a senior citizen.

Part of the case for the ban was consumer protection: sweepstakes platforms sat outside the DGE’s jurisdiction, so a player whose withdrawal went wrong had no regulator to turn to. That gap matters less in New Jersey than almost anywhere else, because the state has had licensed real-money online casinos and poker since 2013 — NJ players who want regulated play have a full legal market available, and every licensed operator answers to the DGE.

The major sweepstakes brands are gone accordingly. VGW’s titles (Chumba, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker), Funzpoints, Spree, MyPrize.us, Clubs Casino, Clubs Poker, LuckySlots.us, and Zula all wound down New Jersey access around the ban, and current operator terms keep the state excluded — MegaBonanza’s terms list New Jersey among its prohibited territories (verified September 1, 2026).

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current requirements with your state before playing.

How New Jersey Got Here: Bill Timeline

Mar 17, 2025
A5447 is introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Consumer Affairs Committee (an identical bill, S4282, moves in the Senate).
May 8, 2025
Reported out of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee with amendments after a 6-0 committee vote.
Jun 30, 2025
Passes the Assembly 69-10 (1 abstention). The same day, the Senate substitutes A5447 for S4282 and passes it 34-5 — the bill clears both chambers in a single sitting.
Aug 15, 2025
Gov. Phil Murphy signs A5447 into law as P.L.2025, c.128. The act takes effect immediately — pay-to-play sweepstakes are banned statewide from this date.
Late 2025–2026
The Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement hold enforcement authority: penalties up to $100,000 (first offense) and $250,000 (subsequent), each operating day a separate offense. Remaining operators keep New Jersey excluded.

New Jersey FAQ

Are sweepstakes casinos legal in New Jersey?
No. A5447 (P.L.2025, c.128), signed August 15, 2025 and effective immediately, prohibits sweepstakes where entry is paid or coins can be exchanged for money — the dual-currency model. Operator penalties run up to $100,000 for a first offense and $250,000 for each subsequent one, with each day counted separately.
Which sweepstakes casinos left New Jersey?
Effectively all major dual-currency brands: VGW’s Chumba, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, plus Funzpoints, Spree, MyPrize.us, Clubs Casino, Clubs Poker, LuckySlots.us, Zula, and others. Current operator terms keep NJ excluded — MegaBonanza lists it among prohibited territories (verified September 1, 2026).
What can New Jersey players do instead?
Play the regulated market: NJ has licensed real-money online casinos, online poker, and sports betting overseen by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Genuine free-entry promotional sweepstakes also remain legal under the law’s safe harbor.
Are players penalized under the ban?
No — A5447’s civil penalties target operators and platforms. If you have an unredeemed balance from before the exits, contact that operator’s support about your options.

Related Coverage

New Jersey's sweepstakes casino ban: full news coverage →Sweepstakes legality in all 50 states: our By State tracker →Casinos that publish clear state-eligibility terms: our reviews →

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