High 5 sweepstakes casino has updated its Terms of Use, signaling major changes for players in multiple US states and Canada.
Its terms had previously specified that players from Kentucky, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, and Washington could not sign up for either sweeps play or classic play (free play). But according to an update on February 18th, High 5 is now pulling out of Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia too. We have it in good word that Georgia and New York will also be soon added to the mix.
Players from these new High 5 Casino restricted states will have access to classic play going forward, but sweeps play will be shut down after March 14th. For now, existing players can play through any remaining Sweeps Coins and redeem them up until March 14th, after which they will be fully barred from sweeps play.
Canadian players are facing a similar scenario too, but the cutoff date is even sooner: February 28th. Canadians will also be able to access classic play on High 5 going forward.
Rationale Behind the New State Restrictions at High 5 Casino
No reasons for the changes have been made public, and are typically never given, but we can say High 5 no longer operates in any state where traditional online gambling is available. That’s Michigan, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia. The rest High 5 restricted states like Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington are typically no-go areas for all sweepstakes operators.
On top of this, SweepsKings has also received news High 5 will be pulling out of New York and Georgia, two states where future legal issues could potentially arise. A New York senator recently announced intentions for a sweepstakes casino ban, while a lawsuit was brought against sweeps operator, VGW in Georgia last year. That case was ultimately dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, but it perhaps illustrates how operators like High 5 are going by the old adage, better safe than sorry.
The latest round of withdrawals makes High 5 one of the more restricted and cautious sweepstakes casinos in terms of which areas it operates in. Many other sweeps casinos are still choosing to offer their services in most of these states for now, although Stake’s updated T&Cs reflect a similar set of state restrictions.
Another big factor could be High 5’s recent court loss in Washington. That related to a Facebook game that violated Washington’s strict anti-gambling laws back in 2014, rather than High 5’s sweepstakes casino. However, it was far from good news for the company overall, with a jury ordering a total payout of nearly $25 million.
The sweepstakes industry in general is in for a bumpy ride in 2025, with plenty of other states announcing intentions, or introducing bills, to outlaw the format. For example, state lawmakers in both the Senate and House in Maryland are looking to ban sweeps sites. If that legislation comes to pass this year, it’d be one more state for High 5 to add to its list.
For the latest details on which locations High 5 has deemed off limits, please refer to our High 5 Casino review.
Author: Mike F.
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