Written by :
Published on :
WILMINGTON, Del (Gambling911.com) - Customers at RealPrize and LoneStar have until September 22, 2026 to withdraw all funds if they happen to reside in the state of Delaware.
This move comes on the heels of The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) sending out cease and desist letters to a number of sweepstakes casino operators.
“These types of real-money games offered to Delaware residents by an unlicensed entity violate the Delaware Constitution, the Delaware Penal Code and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012. With the support of the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW. Effective April 2, 2025, Delaware residents can no longer participate in VGW Luckyland’s unlicensed online gaming platforms.”
Unlike a real money online casino, sweepstakes - or social casinos - is an online platform that allows users to play casino-style games, including slots, bingo, table games, and even live casino games, using virtual currency instead of real money. These types of online casinos rely on additional real money purchases once the free play component is exhausted. In contrast, real money online casinos require a small deposit that can be increased through wins. Free play and cash bonuses are typically offered as well.
While an important sweepstakes distinction in Delaware law (11 Del. C. §1408) states that promotional/merchandising plans are not gambling unless the chance to win a prize requires payment of money or something of actual monetary value, or requires buying certain items, the dual-currency casino model is considered closer to gambling than simple free-entry promotional sweepstakes.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
