Maine lawmakers have approved legislation that effectively shuts down online sweepstakes platforms that mimic casino gambling, marking one of the clearest state-level crackdowns yet on the fast-growing sector. Senate Bill 2007 cleared the Legislature on March 26, 2026, after months of committee review and debate. The proposal was submitted by the Department of Public Safety and introduced in the Senate by Sen. Craig Hickman of Kennebec during the 132nd Legislature’s second regular session. Once enacted, the measure makes it explicit under Maine law that operating or promoting online sweepstakes games constitutes unlawful gambling and exposes violators to both civil and criminal penalties. ### Law targets sweepstakes platforms operating in legal gray area Sweepstakes casinos have grown rapidly across the U.S. by offering games that resemble traditional online casinos while relying on promotional sweepstakes mechanics to argue they are not accepting wagers.…