More online sweepstakes casinos have pulled out of states that are frowning upon that particular gaming vertical.
McLuck and Hello Millions have added Maryland and West Virginia to their respective list of prohibited states and three others — Jackpota, Spree and Mega Bonanza — have pulled out of Maryland, effective Feb. 21.
All five of those brands currently block users in at least 12 states.
The exits from Maryland and West Virginia come as both of those states have reportedly taken action against online sweeps.
Maryland lawmakers consider banning sweeps after C&Ds
In Maryland, Sen. Paul Corderman’s Senate Bill 860 would explicitly ban sweepstakes casinos, defined in the bill’s text as an online platform that utilizes a dual-currency system of free money and real money and mimics online casino-style or lottery-style gaming. It would criminalize not just online sweeps operators but also suppliers who offer services to those sites.
SB860 is currently slated for a committee hearing on March 5. Its House counterpart, HB1140, will go before committee the following day.
SB860 was filed after Maryland’s gaming regulator sent a raft of cease-and-desist letters to illegal online gambling operators, including multiple that offer sweepstakes products. The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency confirmed in an email to SBC Americas that it sent McLuck a C&D, but not any of the other four brands that have just gone offline in the state.
Meanwhile, in West Virginia, Attorney General JB McCuskey reportedly issued subpoenas to a group of sweepstakes operators.
SBC Americas also reached out to the five sweepstakes brands and the West Virginia regulator for this story. Mega Bonanza replied to confirm that it is no longer operating in Maryland, but could not provide further details.
High 5 Casino and others already bolting
Just last week, a prominent online gaming company, High 5 Games, said it will shut down its sweepstakes play by March 14 in six states that offer legal online casino gaming, including West Virginia.
Stake.US has also closed down in the Mountain State and other markets in recent days.
As operators withdraw, other U.S. states continue to assess the legality of sweeps.
The Mississippi Senate became the first state legislative body to approve a full ban on online sweeps earlier this month, while in New Jersey, lawmakers proposed regulating them in a similar fashion to online casino and sports betting.
