Publishers Clearing House Enters Into the Sweepstakes Casino Industry

Publishers Clearing House is the latest to enter the sweepstakes casino space.  Makes sense considering PCH and sweepstakes were synonymous with one another decades prior to any online sweepstakes casino emerging.

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ReadWrite gives us the scoop:

"PCH will partner with gambling firm, SCCG Management, to help manage this new move. SCCG will primarily target PCH’s new partnerships as it transitions to sweepstakes casino business, as well as other developments.

"SCCG claims that part of its plans to succeed is by leveraging its expertise with PCH’s massive customer base."

Founded in 1953, PCH is most widely known for their sweepstakes and prize-based games which were introduced in 1967.  During the 80s and 90s their commercials aired almost as often as those Wegovy and Skyrizzi ads we see today. 

But it hasn't always been a smooth ride for Publishers Clearing House.

Per Wikipedia:

"In 1992 thousands of discarded sweepstakes entries from contestants who had not bought magazine subscriptions were found in the company's trash, reinforcing beliefs that the company favored those who made purchases in selecting a sweepstakes winner.  PCH said this was done by a disgruntled employee at their mail processing vendor. A class action lawsuit ensued, which PCH settled by giving discarded entrants a second chance to win.

"In 1994 PCH sent mailings telling recipients they were all "finalists", which led to a lawsuit involving the attorneys general of 14 US states. Later that year, PCH denied wrongdoing, but agreed to pay a settlement of $490,000 and to change their practices. Under the agreement, PCH said it would define terms like "finalist" and disclose the chances of winning.

"In 1997, a contestant of competitor AFP flew to Tampa, Florida thinking he had won, though he had not. The resulting publicity caused more lawsuits for both companies. PCH reached a $30 million national settlement in 1999. In 2000, another $18 million settlement was reached with 24 states, after the company sent mass mailings which said "You are a winner!" and used mock personalized checks. PCH agreed to avoid similar mailings in the future, and add a "sweepstakes fact box" to mailings"