In a late Friday news release, Attorney General Letitia James sent cease-and-desist letters to 26 sweepstakes casinos as a way to stop “online sweepstakes casinos operating in New York.”
New York Sweepstakes Casinos Include McLuck, Fortune Coins
Although the timeline of when the letters were sent to sweeps sites was not provided, a copy of one letter attached to the press release was dated March 7 and gave three weeks to exit the Empire State.
“Online sweepstakes casinos are illegal, dangerous, and can seriously ruin people’s finances,” James said. “I thank the New York State Gaming Commission and Senator Addabbo for partnering with my office on this issue to protect New Yorkers.”
The 26 sweepstakes casinos include the following:
- Chanced
- Chumba
- DingDingDing
- Fliff
- Fortune Coins
- Fortune Wheelz
- Funrize
- FunzCity
- Global Poker
- Golden Hearts Games
- High 5 Casino
- Jackpota
- LuckyLand
- McLuck
- Mega Bonanza
- NoLimitCoins
- Play Fame
- RealPrize
- Sidepot
- SpinBlitz
- Sportzino
- SweepSlots
- Sweeptastic
- TaoFortune
- Yay Casino
- Zula Casino
New York Continues Its Crack Down On Sweeps Sites
Addabbo’s Senate Bill 5935 and Assemblymember Carrie Woerner’s Assembly Bill 6745 also seek to ban sweepstakes casinos. Addabbo’s objective is to close any remaining loopholes for sweeps sites.
New York’s legislative session adjourns June 12.
“These so-called sweepstakes casinos not only put individuals at risk of fraud and financial exploitation, but they also create dangerous pathways for gambling addiction, especially among minors,” Sen. Addabbo said in Friday’s release.
“This is not about taking away anyone’s livelihood, it’s about protecting New Yorkers and working toward a safer, regulated online gaming environment for age-appropriate individuals.
“I commend Attorney General James and her office for their dedication towards protecting our residents and for recognizing the urgent risks posed by these illegal platforms.”
Chumba, Global Poker, And LuckyLand Will Allow Sweeps Play Until Aug. 1
Websites owned by Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) Holdings stopped allowing in-game currency that can be swapped for real cash prizes on June 2. However, its three sites — Chumba, Global Poker, and LuckyLand — will allow sweepstakes play to continue until Aug. 1.
New York law prohibits online platforms from offering gambling that involves risking something of value, including virtual coins that can be redeemed for cash or prizes.
Sweeps platforms offer players slots, table games, and sports betting using virtual coins that could be exchanged for cash and prizes. Virtual currencies include Sweeps Coins (SC) and Gold Coins (GC).