Major Online ‘Sweepstakes’ Casinos Face Lawsuits from Florida AG Uthmeier
Florida Attorney General Ashley Uthmeier has taken decisive action against what she describes as illegal online gambling platforms operating under the guise of “sweepstakes” casinos. He announced the filing of two lawsuits targeting prominent operators, including Stake, VGW’s Chumba Casino, Luckyland, and Global Parker. Along with the payment processors facilitating their transactions.
Clarifying the Nature of These Operations
“These so-called ‘sweepstakes’ and ‘social casinos’ are illegal online gambling operations,” Uthmeier stated. “If it looks like a casino, takes real money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino—and it is illegal under Florida law. These companies have been preying on Floridians, including minors and senior. With deceptive marketing, and 24/7 access, while dodging our state’s licensing, taxation, and consumer-protection requirements. They must be stopped.”
Legal Allegations and Schemes Unveiled
The legal actions were filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court. It accused the defendants of running unlawful online gambling businesses that breach Florida’s gambling statutes and the Florida Deceptive.
According to the filings, these operators employ a dual-currency system designed specifically to conceal the nature of real-money gambling. Players purchase “gold coins” that are bundled into “stake cash” or “sweep coins,” which serve as a facade for actual wagering credits.
Read Also: Florida Authorities Launch Crackdown on Illegal Slot Machines.
The complaint details that these credits can be exchanged for cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash after meeting certain playthrough conditions. Despite marketing themselves as “free,” “safe,” and “legal” social entertainment, the platforms feature popular casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker, and aggressively promote large, celebrity-endorsed wins.
What the Lawsuits Seek to Achieve
“Florida law strictly limits gambling and authorizes slot machines only under narrow circumstances at licensed facilities,” Uthmeier emphasized. “The lawsuits seek permanent injunctions to stop the defendants from operating or soliciting in Florida, the recovery of money lost by Floridians, disgorgement of illicit gains, civil penalties under FDUTPA, restitution, and attorneys’ fees,” the AG’s office added.
