S 5935 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Prohibits online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets

This bill bans online sweepstakes games that function like casino-style gambling (e.g., slot machines or poker) by prohibiting their operation, promotion, or support within New York. It directly affects operators, promoters, payment processors, and platforms that facilitate these games, with penalties including fines ($10,000-$100,000 per violation) and loss of gaming licenses. The New York State Gaming Commission, police, or Attorney General enforce the law through investigations and cease-and-desist orders. All fines collected fund problem gambling education and treatment programs, as specified in state law.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Assembly Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Dec 2025

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Signed Dec 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S5935 → S5935A · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to improve clarity and add new provisions regarding online sweepstakes game prohibitions. The changes include reorganizing definitions for better readability, clarifying that the state gaming commission determines what constitutes a dual-currency system, and adding new provisions for how fines from violations will be collected and used for problem gambling education and treatment.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on prohibiting online sweepstakes games in New York, but the amendment adds specific funding allocation requirements for fines collected from violations.

DEFINITION

Restructured definitions section to clearly separate definitions of 'online sweepstakes game', 'table games', and 'lottery games' for better clarity.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that the state gaming commission must determine what constitutes a dual-currency system for sweepstakes games.

FISCAL

Added provision that all fines from violations must be deposited into the commercial gaming revenue fund and used specifically for problem gambling education and treatment.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded enforcement authority to include the state police and attorney general's office in conducting investigations and issuing subpoenas, not just the gaming commission.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 11, 2025 · Assembly Jun 17, 2025

How they voted

57–2

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 63

Jun 11, 2025

D Democratic41

38 Yea 3

92% Yea

R Republican22

19 Yea 2 Nay 1

86% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Dec 5, 2025

Signed into law

SIGNED CHAP.605

upper

Jun 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

PASSED ASSEMBLY

lower

Jun 11, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS

lower

Jun 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

AMENDED ON THIRD READING 5935A

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO RACING, GAMING AND WAGERING

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors