The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) on Thursday expressed disappointment with a recent legal opinion from Louisiana’s Attorney General opinion characterizing online sweepstakes casinos that offer casino-style games and the dual-currency system as unlawful under state law.
AG Says Sweepstakes Casinos, Social Casinos Constitute Illegal Gambling
Attorney General Liz Murrill was responding to Sen. Rick Edmonds’ (R-7) request for an opinion from Murrill on the legality of “online sweepstakes casino businesses” that continue to operate in the Pelican State.
“Following a review of applicable Louisiana statutes and legal precedent, it is the opinion of this office that online businesses offering casino-style games — purporting to be sweepstakes or social gaming platforms — are operating in violation of Louisiana law. These activities constitute illegal gambling and illegal gambling by computer under multiple provisions,” Murrill wrote.
Murrill also backed Senate Bill 181, which Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed last month. SB 181 would have punished violators with up to a $100,000 fine and five years in prison. The measure required the La. Gaming Control Board (LGCB) and the La. State Police (LSP) to enforce the provisions of proposed law.
“We are disappointed by the Attorney General’s opinion and fundamentally disagree with the notion that these platforms are operating outside the bounds of the law,” said Jeff Duncan, Executive Director of SGLA and former Congressman.
“Our partners offer free-to-play entertainment based on long-standing promotional sweepstakes models used legally by consumer brands across industries. This is not gambling — it’s marketing.”
SGLA Argues Sweeps Operators Already Meet Necessary Requirements
SGLA added in its news release that online social games “provide free methods of entry, do not require payment to participate, and incorporate robust consumer protections that go well beyond industry norms.”
Sweeps operators already have strict age verification, self-exclusion tools, anti-money laundering protocols, and security safeguards on par with major financial services platforms.
“Millions of Americans have safely enjoyed these games for more than a decade,” Duncan added. “We urge Louisiana officials to engage in a constructive, fact-based dialogue about how best to provide clear, modern regulations that protect consumers, encourage innovation, and reflect the reality of today’s digital entertainment landscape.”
The SGLA “looks forward to continuing the conversation with regulators, lawmakers, and stakeholders in Louisiana” and across the nation to “ensure consumer protections, player choice and a potential new state revenue stream remain at the forefront of any policy approach.”