ARTICLE
26 March 2025

New York And New Jersey Move To Prohibit Social Casino Sweepstakes Model

SM
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton

Contributor

Sheppard Mullin is a full service Global 100 firm with over 1,000 attorneys in 16 offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia. Since 1927, companies have turned to Sheppard Mullin to handle corporate and technology matters, high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the US, the firm’s clients include more than half of the Fortune 100.
We recently wrote about the flurry of legal issues with the social casino sweepstakes model. Now, the New York State Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee...
United States New Jersey New York Media, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

We recently wrote about the flurry of legal issues with the social casino sweepstakes model. Now, the New York State Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee passed S5935, a bill that, if fully approved and enacted, would prohibit in NY "online" sweepstakes games that uses a dual-currency system of payment allowing the player to exchange the currency for any prize, award, cash or cash equivalents, or any chance to win any price, award, cash or cash equivalents, and simulates casino-style gaming. The bill also covers other entities including financial institutions, payment processors, geolocation providers, gaming content supplier, platform providers, or media affiliates who support the operation, conduct, or promotion of sweepstakes games within the state of New York.

Since our last post, New Jersey has undergone an apparent shift in legislative approach. It did have a bill (AB 5196) that would regulate social casino sweepstakes, subjecting them to the existing regulatory framework requiring licensing, oversight and taxation. But a new bill (AB 5447) would prohibit them.

On a more positive note, a recent RICO lawsuit against a social casino sweepstakes model, which also named Apple and Google, was dismissed voluntarily by the plaintiff.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Mondaq uses cookies on this website. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies as set out in our Privacy Policy.

Learn More