Jackpota has announced its exit from the West Virginia market in the wake of the state’s latest crackdown on social gaming operators.
In an email sent to the SweepsKings team, the sweepstakes casino has announced that West Virginia is officially on its restricted states list as of Monday, February 10, 2025.
WV players who are already registered at Jackpota will be barred from making purchases starting February 20. All West Virginia-registered accounts will be fully closed on March 31, and no remaining funds will be redeemable beyond that point.
The latest development makes West Virginia the 14th restricted state for Jackpota players.
The news comes after West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey had pushed his sweepstakes gaming operator probe, with subpoenas issued to companies he believes violate the state gambling laws.
For that reason, we expect more sweepstakes casinos to follow B2 brands footsteps and exit the state.
West Virginia’s Attack on Sweepstakes Casinos Explained
The sweepstakes casino subpoenas were confirmed in a statement from McCuskey’s office on January 29. The Attorney General noted, “We have serious concerns about West Virginia consumers, specifically our children, being targeted by illegal gambling operations.”
This statement comes despite the fact that casino-style games on sweepstakes casinos are not played with real money but virtual tokens. While players can win real cash prizes and purchase extra virtual tokens, participation remains free, and all players are eligible to claim specific amounts of tokens at no cost.
And of course, sweepstakes casinos enforce KYC checks like real money casinos to ensure only eligible players (18+) can access their services. WV’s stance aligns with the pushback against sweepstakes casinos in states with regulated casino gambling.
The Social and Promotional Games Association Responds
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has responded to the Attorney General’s statement, saying it “ignores the reality” that sweepstakes casinos and traditional real-money casinos are drastically different.
“Social casino sweepstakes games are a free-to-play form of entertainment enjoyed safely and legally by millions of adult Americans,” the SPGA statement reads. “Protecting consumers means embracing innovation, not stifling competition under the guise of concern.”
Here at SweepsKings, we take the side of SPGA, hoping that the authorities can take a more nuanced approach to a complex matter instead of lumping sweepstakes casinos into the traditional gambling category, where it clearly does not belong.
We will keep you posted on the latest updates, including news of other online sweepstakes casinos that exited West Virginia. Currently, Jackpota and all McLuck sister sites are out.
Author: Jon Ridehalgh
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