AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill would ban online sweepstakes games in Minnesota. It defines what counts as online sweepstakes, sets rules about who cannot operate or support such games, and establishes enforcement mechanisms to stop the practice and penalize violations.
Definitions
- Dualcurrency: A payment system that lets a person play a simulated gambling program for consideration and may lead to a prize, cash, or a chance to win a prize. It excludes contests that involve no consideration.
- Online sweepstakes game: A game or promotion available on the Internet or accessible via mobile devices or similar devices that uses dualcurrency to exchange for a prize or chance to win a prize and simulates casino-style or other gambling.
- Prize: The prize term used in this section, aligned with the related definition in another part of law.
Prohibition
- Operation and promotion: It would be illegal to operate, conduct, or promote an online sweepstakes game in Minnesota.
- Support and participation: Entities such as licensed entities, financial institutions, payment processors, geolocation providers, gaming content suppliers, platform providers, or media affiliates would be prohibited from supporting the operation, conduct, or promotion of these games in Minnesota.
- Denial of starting or continuing operations: The commissioner of public safety and the attorney general must deny a person from starting or continuing online sweepstakes operations if the person or their affiliate knowingly accepts revenue derived from an online sweepstakes game.
- Revenue safeguards: The state would take action against those found to be engaging in prohibited revenue streams linked to online sweepstakes.
Enforcement and penalties
- The bill ties enforcement and penalties to existing provisions, applying the violations from the related gambling statute (325F.755 Subd.7) to online sweepstakes. This means similar penalties and enforcement mechanisms would apply for violations of the online sweepstakes prohibition.
Compliance and cross-references
- This proposed section would be added to Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F and cross-references enforcement and penalties to align with the existing gambling-law framework, including the roles of the commissioner of public safety and the attorney general.
Significance and expected impact
- Closes potential gaps that allowed online sweepstakes with dualcurrency to operate under Minnesota law.
- Shifts responsibility to prevent and penalize online sweepstakes to state law enforcement and legal authorities.
- Helps clarify that certain business partners and service providers cannot assist in enabling online sweepstakes activities in Minnesota.
Relevant Terms online sweepstakes game dualcurrency prize Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F prohibition revenue from illegal markets commissioner of public safety attorney general geolocation provider gaming content supplier platform provider media affiliate violations (325F.755 Subd.7)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 16, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Commerce Finance and Policy | |
| March 18, 2026 | House | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References the existing definition of 'Prize' as defined in Minnesota Statutes section 325F.755, subdivision 1, to interpret terms used in the online sweepstakes prohibition.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325F.755 subdivision 1",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Uses the existing violations framework from Minnesota Statutes section 325F.755, subdivision 7, to govern violations under the online sweepstakes prohibitions.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "325F.755 subdivision 7",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee