Pennsylvania’s PGCB doesn’t want sweepstakes casinos around, and in April 2025, the regulator made that more than clear. 18 cease-and-desist letters went flying out, and every affected operator backed off.
Our page walks you through why the PGCB hit so hard, what you can legally play instead, and the operators who already pulled out on their own.
Most major sweepstakes sites won’t let you sign up from Pennsylvania. In April 2025, the state’s gambling regulator (the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, or PGCB) sent letters to 18 sweepstakes companies, telling them to stop serving Pennsylvania players.
All 18 operators complied, including well-known brands such as Stake.us, McLuck, and Mega Bonanza. Soon after, many other operators who were not on the list pulled out simply to avoid being next.
Why did the PGCB act? Because Pennsylvania’s licensed online casino market brought in $2.2 billion last year, and the state treats that as the legitimate channel for online gambling. The regulator sees sweepstakes as unlicensed competition, and its chief counsel called them “illegal online gambling” in a 2025 hearing.
The PGCB can’t currently take operators to court, but it has asked state legislators to change that. If they do, an outright ban could follow.
Below, we walk through what the PGCB did and what playing options you still have as a Pennsylvania player.
| Can I play in Pennsylvania right now? | Very few sites still accept Pennsylvania. Most major brands have pulled out. | |
| What did the state do? | Sent 18 cease-and-desist letters in April 2025. All 18 recipients compiled. | |
| Why have other operators left too? | The action signaled to the wider industry that Pennsylvania is no longer safe. Many operators not on the letter list pulled out preemptively to avoid being next. | |
| Which agency is acting? | The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), which oversees the state’s licensed online casinos and sports betting. | |
| What does the PGCB call sweepstakes? | “Illegal online gambling,” in testimony at a 2025 state oversight hearing. | |
| Can the PGCB actually prosecute these operators? | No. The board admitted in 2025 that it lacks the authority. Cease-and-desist letters are their main tool. | |
| What makes operators comply anyway? | Pennsylvania runs a $2.2 billion licensed iGaming market. Operators won’t risk regulatory pressure there. | |
| Has a sweepstakes ban bill been filed? | Not yet. The PGCB has formally asked lawmakers for new enforcement powers, so a bill is expected. |
| Will I get in trouble for playing sweepstakes anway? | No. Pennsylvania hasn’t pursued any individual player. The state’s gambling statute carries a misdemeanor on paper but has never been used against sweepstakes play. |
| Can I find a site that accepts Pennsylvania? | Very few. Most major brands have pulled out. The remaining ones are smaller and may exit if the PGCB sends another round. |
| What can I legally play instead? | Pennsylvania’s licensed online casinos (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and 17+ others), the state lottery, and licensed sports betting. |
| Will a VPN help? | No. Sites verify location at every login and close accounts that hop. |
| Do I owe taxes on winnings? | Yes, federal and state. Federal tax applies (report on Schedule 1). Pennsylvania taxes gambling winnings at the state’s 3.07% flat rate. See the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for filing. |
Sweepstakes casinos that pulled out of Pennsylvania
Compare Pennsylvania to its neighboring states.
