Social Gaming

Sweepstakes Casinos Now Banned in Indiana: Chumba, Spree, McLuck Bid Farewell

Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed the bill Thursday (March 12, 2026) outlawing the sweepstakes model of social gaming in the state.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Fri, 03/13/2026 - 14:42

Baltimore Becomes Second U.S. City to Sue Sweepstakes Casinos

According to the lawsuit, the companies violated Baltimore’s Consumer Protection Ordinance by operating illegal online gambling platforms disguised as lawful sweepstakes.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 03/04/2026 - 21:07

Spree Sweepstakes Casino Returns to Alabama, Georgia

The decision comes as a handful of U.S. states have passed laws - or are in the process of doing so - that would prevent sweepstakes casinos from operating.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Tue, 03/03/2026 - 16:52

How the Sweepstakes Model Created a Billionaire Without a U.S. Gambling License

VGW, the company behind Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker, grew its business using a promotional sweepstakes structure that sits outside the standard U.S. iGaming framework.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:34

Chumba Casino Founder Hit With Fresh Set of Drug-Related Allegations

Australian billionaire and founder of some of the biggest names in sweepstakes casinos is now facing a fresh set of drug-related charges following his arrest for domestic abuse last month.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Mon, 03/02/2026 - 09:59

Bloomberg Businessweek Claims Major Discrepancies With Stake.com Streamer Outcomes: Company Balks at Claims

Videos of influencers hitting it big on Stake.com are all over the internet. But at least some of those wins are statistically unlikely, a Bloomberg analysis showed.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Fri, 02/27/2026 - 11:41

US Sweepstakes Models: Could Grey-Market Innovation Reach the UK?

Over the last decade or so, the United States has quietly transformed into a laboratory for new betting models. Not by sweeping federal reform. Nor by coordinated state expansion. But by regulatory loopholes, which are a more subtle thing.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Thu, 02/26/2026 - 09:42

Virginia Inches Closer to Allowing Online Casinos, Poker

This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 118 that would regulate online casinos by a narrow 19-17 vote.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Thu, 02/19/2026 - 15:22

Global Poker, Chumba Casino Founder Recently Arrested on Assault and Drug Charges

Virtual Gaming Worlds billionaire founder Laurence Escalante appeared in a Perth, Australia court last week to face multiple criminal charges that include aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, aggravated home burglary, theft, and criminal damage or destruction of property.

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on, Wed, 02/11/2026 - 11:54

No Online Casinos in Virginia Until 2028 the Earliest as Passage Must Happen in Two Legislative Sessions

Virginia gambling and state flag, capitol building

New amendment to current legislation guarantees a long wait.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Mon, 02/09/2026 - 12:56

Understanding Sweet Bonanza Volatility: A Simple Guide

Discover how volatility works in Sweet Bonanza through easy examples. Learn to manage game swings and what to expect from the bonus rounds.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Sun, 02/08/2026 - 09:54

Illinois Issues 60 Plus Cease and Desist Letters to Sweepstakes Casinos

The cease-and-desist letters demand that entities allegedly operating online casinos or sweepstakes platforms immediately block Illinois residents from accessing their sites, which Gambling911.com has obtained the names of.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Fri, 02/06/2026 - 09:31

Top Trending: Chris Christie's Prediction Market Remarks

Following a slow Tuesday (by Gambling911.com standards these days) - 56,575 impressions, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's comments regarding prediction markets on Wednesday morning's segment of "Morning Joe" were a huge hit with readers here at Gambling911.com.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 02/04/2026 - 22:35

Washington State Sues World Series of Poker, Bingo Blitz,, Slotomania, Big Fish Casino

Washington's Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a lawsuit against several sweepstakes casino companies that operate unlicensed electronic gambling applications (casino apps) which have taken more than $225 million from residents of the state since September 2020.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 02/04/2026 - 19:55

Crypto Gambling vs Sweepstakes: Access and ‘Offer’ Framing

Social gaming has exploded in popularity in recent years, but there’s still a lot of confusion over which platform types are legal and best in class.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Wed, 02/04/2026 - 08:46

Indiana Sweepstakes Casino Ban Moves Forward

Indiana state Rep. Ethan Manning’s bill looking to ban the sweepstakes online casinosadvanced to the upper chamber after easy passage in the House on Monday.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 02/03/2026 - 12:24

What is Driving the Plinko Surge at Sites Like Winna Casino, Boagart Casino and Others

There is now an entire meme culture surrounding the popular game first made famous on "The Price is Right".

Submitted by Aaron Goldstein on, Sun, 02/01/2026 - 15:36

Top Trending: Ohio Gov Scathing Remarks re Sports Gambling, Anthony Davis Trade Odds, More

123,019 impressions came into the Gambling911.com website on Saturday.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Sun, 02/01/2026 - 14:50

New York State Sees Dismal Sports Betting Numbers to Kick Off New Year

New York City with sports betting components

Caesars reports a shocking 1.4% hold on a $35.2-million handle while Bally Bet is the only sports betting company in the state to hold above the average 8.5%.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Fri, 01/30/2026 - 13:54

Top Trending: Chris Dudley, Tennessee Speaker, Arkansas's Prediction Market Stance, More

The Yasiel Puig sports betting trial continues to captivate Gambling911.com readers with three of the top five search queries pertaining to the one-time Dodgers super star.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Thu, 01/29/2026 - 23:11

Sweepstakes Casinos: News, Reviews, Complaints January 27, 2026: Spree Casino, LoneStar Casino, RealPrize, BetR

Complaints about redemption times at some sweepstakes casino as one player may have a solution.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 01/27/2026 - 12:33

Detroit Rapper Xzibit Teams Up With Spree Sweepstakes Casino

The move follows sweeps casinos Wow Vegas employing socialite Paris Hilton as its brand ambassador, and rapper Drake as the face of Stake.us

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 01/27/2026 - 11:29

Can I Play on a Sweepstakes Casino From Tennessee? Volunteer State Looks to Ban Chumba, McLuck, Others

HB 1885 would make each violation of the law subject to a civil fine of up to $15,000.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Tue, 01/27/2026 - 11:07

States Step Up Efforts to Regulate Sweepstake-Style Online Gambling

The growth of the sweepstakes casino model has drawn lawmakers, regulators and industry analysts into debate about how to treat a model that behaves like gambling but sits outside most state casino statutes.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Mon, 01/19/2026 - 12:05

How to Download Social Casino Apps

Social casino apps bring slots, tables, and live dealers straight to your phone for quick fun anytime. These apps use free Gold Coins for Freemium Games and Sweeps Coins for Sweepstakes Games with prize chances.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Thu, 01/15/2026 - 15:06

Top Trending: John Harbaugh to Coach Which NFL Team Next Odds

Gambling911.com saw 128,113 impressions on Tuesday, 119,396 the day before. Much of this came courtesy of that viral video showing an agitated horse being paraded through a casino.

Submitted by C Costigan on, Wed, 01/07/2026 - 20:56

Mike Haven: ' ClubWPTGold Aren't Even Trying to Advertise Themselves as a Legitimate Poker Site'

From variance to RTGs, players offer their own critiques of ClubWPTGold, both good and bad, with TwoPlusTwo Super Moderator not impressed.

Submitted by Ace King on, Wed, 01/07/2026 - 13:10

Sweepstakes Casino Ban Mulled in Indiana

House Bill 1052, introduced by Rep. Ethan Manning, is more broad in nature.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Wed, 01/07/2026 - 12:30

Can't Play at Chumba, High 5 and Stake From Tennessee Anymore as AG Shuts Sites Down

These and 37 other sweepstakes casinos expected to shut down in the Volunteer State in the coming weeks.

Submitted by Gilbert Horowitz on, Mon, 01/05/2026 - 12:44

Why Social Casino Sites Are Gaining Traction in the U.S.

In recent years, social gaming sites have transitioned from being occasional pastimes to becoming a prominent aspect of American Culture. As a result, Social Casino Gaming has evolved into a legitimate form of entertainment.

Submitted by B.E.Delmer on, Fri, 01/02/2026 - 09:26