West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey announced Monday that he has sent 47 subpoenas to sweepstakes casinos. He told the audience at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States summer meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, that while none have responded, 19 have exited the Mountain State.
McLuck Casino, Stake Among Operators To Leave West Virginia
The list of exiting sweepstakes operators includes:
- Baba Casino
- Carnival Citi
- Chance and affiliate Punt.com
- Funrize and affiliates NoLimitCoins, FunzCity, Fortune Wheelz, and Tao Fortune
- Legendz
- McLuck Casino and affiliates Hello Millions, Mega Bonanza, Jackpota, and Spinblitz
- Modo.us
- Play Fame
- Pulsz Casino and Pulsz Bingo
- Rolling Riches
- Sidepot
- Spree
- Stake
Although High 5 Casino’s July 2 terms and conditions still list West Virginia as an eligible jurisdiction, the platform in February announced plans to withdraw from the market and other states with regulated online casinos.
High 5 Casino has reportedly stopped accepting new accounts or purchases from those residing in these six states with regulated iGaming — Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
Other States Join West Virginia In Cracking Down On Sweepstakes Casinos
West Virginia is one of a few US states that offers both legalized online sports betting and iGaming. However, dual-currency platforms aren’t licensed and regulated.
Sweepstakes casinos operate under a dual-currency system, utilizing virtual currencies such as Gold Coins (GC) for casino-style entertainment and Sweeps Coins (SC) for redeemable prizes.
Several other states have taken legal action against the sites in recent months. Montana, Connecticut, and Nevada already outlawed the platforms, while lawmakers in Mississippi, Florida, and Maryland rejected anti-sweepstakes measures earlier this year.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also vetoed an anti-sweepstakes bill last month, suggesting the measure was unnecessary because the Attorney General’s office and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) are already taking the necessary steps to shut down unregulated operators.
Not only did Louisiana’s Attorney General, Liz Murrill, send out more than 40 cease-and-desist letters to sweeps sites and social casinos, but she also issued a legal opinion on July 2 in which she stated that such platforms constitute illegal gambling and are in violation of state law.
California Seeks To Outlaw Sweeps Sites
Last month, California Assemblymember Avelino Valencia also introduced AB 831, which would outlaw online sweepstakes casinos and sweepstakes promotions by companies like Marriott, Microsoft, and Starbucks.
According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest, California’s existing law “prohibits specified unfair acts or practices undertaken or committed by any person in the operation of any contest or sweepstakes.”
AB 831 would specify that “using or offering for use any method, including an internet website or an online application [is prohibited], and would make conforming changes.”
In addition, the measure would make “an unfair practice using or offering games of these types that use a system of payment” that allows the person “playing the simulated gambling program to become eligible for a prize or award, cash or cash equivalents, or a chance to win a prize or award, or cash or cash equivalents, in a business establishment, on the internet, or using an online application” unlawful.
The California legislative session runs until Sept. 12, but bills can carry over to the 2026 session. The next hearing is scheduled for July 15 in the Senate Public Safety Committee.