Florida’s attorney general James Uthmeier has sent letters to Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, and TikTok, asking about advertisements for online sweepstakes casinos that his office claims are operating illegally in the state. Uthmeier has given the companies until October 23 to disclose the measures they have taken to prevent the promotion of sites including Stake, Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker to Florida residents.
Uthmeier Contends That Sweepstakes Casinos Are Illegal
These letters follow recent lawsuits in Florida against operators of high-profile sweepstakes platforms and the related payment service companies. Uthmeier’s legal challenges aim to stop sweepstakes casinos from targeting local customers. They also seek penalties and the recovery of consumer losses. Uthmeier is now also involving the technology companies that may be helping advertise such sites.
Promoting illegal gambling is a crime. Big Tech has until October 23 to confirm it has stopped advertising sites like Stake, Chumba, LuckyLand, and Global Poker in Florida.
James Uthmeier, Florida attorney general
The attorney general also contends that advertising an unauthorized gambling operation may violate Florida law. He notes that the platforms named in the letters do not have a state gambling license, yet still offer traditional casino games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. According to Uthmeier, these companies market themselves as social or free-to-play entertainment while promoting big winnings via celebrities and influencers.
The dual-currency model often found in sweepstakes platforms is another significant point of contention. Uthmeier alleges that this setup aims to circumvent state licensing requirements and consumer protections while exploiting vulnerable Floridians, including minors and seniors. He points out that players can use credits to play casino-style games and eventually exchange them for cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
Tech Giants May Be Pressed to Limit Sweepstakes Ads
Uthmeier’s office does not accuse the technology companies named in the letters of actually operating sweepstakes casinos. The focus is on whether they have helped such platforms reach customers in Florida through their advertising services. The letters ask each company to explain the steps it has taken to prevent ads for the named sweepstakes casinos from reaching state residents.
Florida’s efforts align with broader pushback against sweepstakes across the USA. Kentucky recently saw eleven lawsuits targeting major sweepstakes brands. The class action lawsuits assert that the operators violate Kentucky law by offering a dual-currency gaming system that constitutes illegal gambling. New York and Tennessee are other jurisdictions where this model has faced challenges.
Stake is among the companies that have faced the strongest criticism. Uthmeier claims that celebrity marketing and presenting the games as social entertainment can make the platform appear different from traditional online casinos while carrying many of the same risks. If the technology companies comply with his demands, sweepstakes companies across the USA could face a sudden new challenge.