WOW Vegas is responding to a regulatory order by no longer accepting customers in Louisiana.
The free-to-play online sweepstakes casino informed customers on Monday that it will no longer accept customers in Louisiana starting July 11 as the state’s gaming regulators take a stance against unlicensed sweepstakes operators. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board (LGCB) sent over 40 cease and desist orders to operators including Bovada.
In addition to Bovada, the LGCB sent cease and desist orders to BetOnline, Blazesoft, Fliff, BetWhale, Kickr, Yellow Social Interactive and VGW Holdings.
SBC Americas reached out to both the Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) and the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) about member plans to leave the state but have yet to receive a response.
Louisiana governor fails to support sweeps bill
The LGCB is ordering online sweepstakes casinos to no longer operate in the state after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed a proposed bill banning the promotion or operation of sweepstakes casinos. Landry vetoed Senate Bill 181 because he deemed the piece of legislation unnecessary due to the LGCB’s ability to order unlicensed operators to exit.
SB 181 proposed criminalizing both sweepstakes casino operators and suppliers.
“Our current Louisiana Gaming Control Board has the regulatory authority, control and jurisdiction over all aspects of gaming activities and operations pursuant to the Louisiana Gaming Control Law,” said Landry in his veto letter to lawmakers and constituents.
The governor also took issue with the broadness of the bill’s language.
Before Landry vetoed the measure, several advocacy groups spoke out against a ban.
The SGLA addressed the proposed sweepstakes casino ban in Louisiana declaring that “lawmakers fell for a campaign of deliberate misinformation from parties with clear vested interests that was designed to eliminate legitimate competition.” The SGLA took its stance behind a membership that includes VGW, sweepstakes operator B-Two Operations and payment processing firm Nuvei.
After Landry’s announcement, the LGCB sent out a press release notifying the public that it has been very active in sending cease and desist letters to both offshore and sweepstakes operators.
