Five States Without Licensed Online Casinos Rely on Sweepstakes Play
Several state-focused guides say Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio and Iowa do not permit state-licensed real-money online casino wagering, though residents can access casino-style games through social and sweepstakes platforms using virtual currencies. Sweepstakes platforms may offer special coins redeemable for prizes, but their legality and availability can vary: Kentucky officials have challenged some operators, and Tennessee’s attorney general has pushed to stop sweepstakes features. The articles also note that sports betting is legal in Tennessee and Iowa, while Ohio and Iowa have land-based casinos and Kentucky permits casino-style gaming at licensed horse-racing facilities. A separate promotion highlights newly launched sweepstakes casinos Lucky Bunny and CoinsBack, advertising welcome offers that include virtual coins and Sweeps Coins.