These sweepstakes casinos haven’t left New York yet

Sweepstakes casinos have started to vacate the New York iGaming space, as a bill is being processed that will ban all sweepstakes casinos in the state.

Big names within the industry, such as VGW Holdings, which owns sites like Luckyland Slots, Chumba Casino, and Global Poker, have already begun to exit New York.

This is part of a nationwide crackdown on social gaming across the US, where fellow states such as Montana have already banned all sweepstakes casinos. Connecticut and Louisiana are in the final stages of finalizing a similar bill.

However, some operators still remain. Which sweepstakes casinos are still available in New York? Find out more below.

Can you still play at sweepstakes casinos in New York?

At the moment, you can still play at sweepstakes casinos in New York.

However, the Empire State is processing Joseph Addabbo Jr.'s SB 5935 Bill which will prohibit anyone “operating, conducting, or promoting certain online sweepstakes games or supporting the operation, conduct, or promotion of such games,” also giving “authority to the New York State Gaming Commission and the Attorney General to enforce penalties against violators.”

In the meantime, you can still play at the following list of sweepstakes casinos:

• Crown Coins

• Spinfinite

• Wow Vegas

• Casino.Click

• Fortune Coins

• LuckyBird

• Gambino - Social Casino

• Zula

• SpeedSweeps

• Fliff

• Sportzino

Why is the US cracking down on sweepstakes casinos?

Due to the nature of sweepstakes casinos, which use dual virtual currencies, one of which can be exchanged for prizes, the lines between social gaming and gambling are blurred.

Sweepstakes casinos are not regulated across many US states, leaving players unprotected. While this was deemed acceptable for free-to-play and social games, too many consumers were left in a precarious position once they could exchange their coins for cash or real-life prizes.

As a result, the American Gaming Association (AGA) called for regulators to scrutinize sweepstakes operators, as it continued to undermine current gambling regulations. Many states have also been missing out on tax revenues.

Why should players care?

With operators pulling out and states banning sweepstakes casinos, this will limit the number of casino-style games available to players, particularly in states that prohibit online casinos.

What it does mean, though, is that player safety is coming to the forefront. Consumers should feel more confident in the fact that these unregulated, legal loopholes are being stopped, and that player protection is at the forefront of the AGA.

The future state of the market

Many operators are already starting to pull out of states that are cracking down on sweepstakes casinos. The expectation is that more states will follow suit, especially given the AGA’s report, which has highlighted issues with regulatory oversight.

This will likely be for the better good, as players continue to be protected. Legal loopholes are being identified, and authorities are taking action on pertinent issues.

However, we may see states change the laws surrounding sweepstakes casinos. This could mean that they will require a license to operate and face regulatory scrutiny, like that of online casinos.

For now, New Yorkers can still access a few sweepstakes casinos — but the clock is ticking. If the SB 5935 bill passes, even these remaining sites could be gone. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on who you ask — but one thing’s clear: the sweepstakes loophole is closing fast.