Mr Viral
West Virginia has joined the fight against social gaming operators using sweepstakes prizing, often known as “sweepstakes casinos.”
These operators that offer games like blackjack, roulette, and slots are not currently regulated in any state.
Sources informed Casino Reports that West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is preparing to take legal action against sweepstakes operators targeting the state’s residents, potentially through subpoenas or cease-and-desist letters.
“We Have Serious Concerns About West Virginia Consumers”
While the Attorney General did not confirm the details, his office’s statement strongly hinted at its intentions.
McCuskey himself emphasized the need for enhanced protection against illegal gambling for West Virginia consumers, particularly children.
“We have serious concerns about West Virginia consumers, specifically our children, being targeted by illegal gambling operations,” McCuskey stated.
“From day one, my priority has been to protect consumers and ensure our children are not being exposed to these operations or their advertising — while at the same time supporting those which are licensed and operating within the confines of the law. At this time, we cannot comment on specific cases or provide any further details,” he added.
McCuskey, who took office on January 13 after being elected in November 2024, has prioritized consumer protection.
West Virginia Ranked Fourth in States with Licensed Operators
West Virginia is one of only seven states in the U.S. with legal, regulated online casino play, joining New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The Mountain State ranks fourth in terms of licensed operators, with seven iCasinos regulated by the West Virginia Lottery Commission.
Major players like DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, FanDuel, Golden Nugget, and Fanatics launched online casino sites in the state between 2020 and 2023.
Most recently, iGaming technology and content supplier EveryMatrix has launched with BetMGM and RSI in West Virginia.
How Sweepstakes Casinos Work
Used by millions of Americans, sweepstake sites rely on a dual-currency model. They offer virtual coins for free-to-play games and sweeps coins, which can be redeemed for cash but are not directly purchased.
Advocates claim these sites operate legally due to this model but remain unregulated.
States such as Maryland, Michigan, and Mississippi have already taken action against sweepstakes operators.
Some states, like New York, have even introduced legislation to prevent such operators from acquiring online casino licenses.
Notably, while most states are moving to ban or regulate these sites, New Jersey is an outlier.
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese recently introduced a bill to regulate and tax sweepstakes casinos, which the Social and Promotional Games Association welcomed.
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