June 2026
As new state bills come into effect, US sweepstakes operators are embracing the World Cup frenzy
Sweepstakes operations in Indiana, Maine, and Tennessee are ending, so redeem your SC as soon as possible. Players in eligible states can take advantage of numerous World Cup-themed free SC events and giveaways while saving up for the massive promotions expected to celebrate America's 250th birthday next month.
May 2026
As anti-sweeps actions wind down for 2026, several new sites are entering the market
Although certain states have yet to conclude their anti-sweeps efforts, several promising new social casinos entered the market this month: CoinsBack, Yayz, Coin Wizard Games, and Grand Prize. At the same time, operators like Pulsz are expanding their reach through major Memorial Day promotional campaigns.
April 2026
Maine bans sweeps casinos while similar efforts fail in MA and MD
Maine became the second state this year to outlaw sweepstakes casinos as part of its drive for regulated iGaming. Washington D.C. also introduced a bill to look into doing the same. On the other hand, anti-sweeps bills failed in Massachusetts and Maryland.
March 2026
Indiana passes anti-sweeps bill; operators in FL, VA and MS get a pass
Indiana's governor has signed a bill that will make sweepstakes casinos illegal in the state starting in July 2026. Meanwhile, anti-sweeps bills in Florida, Virginia, and Mississippi took the opposite turn, while several other states are still debating the fate of dual-currency social casinos.
February 2026
Several mid-tier social casinos struggle
Although we can't name names, we have been contacted by a few operators that are struggling to sustain operations due to increased regulatory pressure in certain states and the closure of others. Our recommendation? Redeem Sweeps Coins regularly and stick to reliable, long-running brands.
January 2026
Seven states take a stance against sweepstakes operators
New bills targeting sweepstakes casinos have been filed in Florida, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. Meanwhile, New Jersey is moving in the opposite direction, with a new bill aimed at regulating sweepstakes gaming in the Garden State.
January 2026
Small sweepstakes casinos are shutting down, while big operators target CA and NY
Major platforms like B2 (Card Crush), Funzpoints (Thrillaroo), and Modo.us (via the Modo Stars System) are working to maintain their foothold in CA and NY despite new regulations. At the same time, smaller brands such as LuckyBird.io, BettySweeps, and ToraTora have shut down completely.
2025 at a Glance
What a year for sweepstakes casinos
We at SweepsKings reviewed 99 new sweepstakes casinos in 2025. Our goal remains to cover every brand entering the US market, helping you find reputable operators and avoid those only looking to profit at your expense.
Alongside new reviews, we revisited 140+ social casinos already covered by our experts to ensure all information remains accurate and up to date.
2025 wasn't all fun - we lost several states (Montana, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, California), and more restrictions are likely to follow in 2026. No matter what, we'll be here to guide your sweepstakes gaming journey. Happy New Year!
December 2025
Sweepstakes casinos go all out with their Christmas campaigns
SweepsKings has been following sweepstakes casinos since their early days. This December, we're seeing operators roll out their best campaigns to date, with thousands of Sweeps Coins and Free Plays up for grabs through fun, ongoing promotions that run into 2026. Don't miss out.
November 2025
Major brands leave Tennessee
Major brands like Chumba, RealPrize, High 5, Mega Bonanza, and Chanced inform Tennessee players about their withdrawal from the state. SweepsKings is not aware of any anti-sweeps effort in the Volunteer State at this time, so these exits are likely the result of cease-and-desist orders.
November 2025
Progressive jackpot prizes reach unprecedented heights
With more US players turning to sweepstakes casinos for their gaming, local progressive jackpots are now hitting six and even seven figures. WOW Vegas, ACE, Jackpota, Spree, Rolla, Legendz, and more social casinos are consistently paying out massive Grand pots.
October 2025
Governor Newsom signs AB831 into law
The California sweepstakes casino market will come to an end in 2026. All social casino operators are expected to exit Cali before January. On the other hand, a similar recent effort failed in Minnesota.
September 2025
Pragmatic Play leaves the sweepstakes market, as AB831 progresses in California
The passage of AB831 in California and an LA City lawsuit against Stake.us that implicated popular game providers resulted in Pragmatic Play's exit from the sweepstakes vertical. The now approved Cali bill banning sweepstakes casinos awaits a signature or veto from Governor Newsom.
July 2025
California's tribes clash with sweepstakes casinos
The sweepstakes industry is taking a stance against California's tribes, who are fully backing AB831. The bill is progressing through the legislature, and some major brands, like Mega Bonanza, announce their exit from the Golden State.
June 2025
CT bans sweeps casinos, LA vetoes new bill; 20+ new social sites launch this month
Connecticut becomes the latest iGaming state to pass an anti-sweepstakes casino bill, while the Louisiana Governor vetoes a similar effort. This month alone, 20+ new sites enter the market, including much-anticipated names like LuckyStake, The Win Zone, and Lucky Bits Vegas.
May 2025
Montana passes landmark anti-sweepstakes bill
Montana becomes the first non-iGaming state to outlaw sweepstakes casinos. Gaming sites continue to operate and launch throughout the majority of states, mostly unaffected. VGW, B-Two, and other big brands establish the SGLA to argue in favor of the industry.
April 2025
Sweepstakes casinos leaving NY in droves
Major brands, including McLuck-affiliated sites, Stake.us, and Fortune Coins sister sites, announce their exit from New York State. Anti-sweepstakes efforts are gaining momentum in other states as well, with bills receiving high approval rates. That said, new social casinos continue to emerge, and even old-school brands like PCH are looking to capitalize on the market.
March 2025
Microgaming (M2Play) arrives at social gaming sites
Crown Coins and Legendz are the first to present classic Microgaming slots to US players. B2 sites announce that M2Play slots will land on their social casinos any minute.
February 2025
State legislators are taking different approaches towards sweepstakes
Maryland, Mississippi, New York, and West Virginia are among the states pushing bans on sweepstakes casinos. Hawaii and New Jersey are searching for ways to regulate them within their existing frameworks. VGW wins a major case in Florida, scoring a significant win for operators.
January 2025
SweepsKings attends iGB Affiliate Barcelona
Our team attends iGB Affiliate 2025 in Barcelona and meets with most of our sweepstakes casino partners and several new companies planning to enter the market this year. Our CMO, Alex Windsor, delivers a talk on the current and future state of sweepstakes casinos.
2024
Over 35 sweepstakes casinos launch within a year
The sweepstakes casino industry continues to boom, with over 35 new sites launched in 2024, making it another record year. Spectrum Gaming Group’s annual predictions list puts sweepstakes casinos at the top of 2025 iGaming trends.
September 2024
Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) forms
Various sweepstakes casino operators, such as Blazesoft and High 5 Entertainment, establish a trade group of their own. Their mission is to “highlight the well-established legality and legitimacy of social sweepstakes games, providing regulators, policymakers and consumers with a comprehensive understanding of these offerings.”
August 2024
McLuck hits 1000 games
Just over a year after launching, McLuck celebrates hitting 1000 available games in this landmark achievement.
August 2024
American Gaming Association issues a policy statement criticising the sweepstakes casino industry
The AGA - a trade group representing real money casino operators and suppliers - urges US regulators and lawmakers to clamp down on the sweepstakes casino industry as they see it as a threat.
2023
25 sweepstakes casinos launch within a year for the first time
It’s obvious, sweepstakes casinos are on the rise as the number of new sites in 2023 beats the 2022 total. More games, more providers, and larger bonuses underpin the evolving market.
December 2023
Michigan Gaming Control Board begins crackdown on sweepstakes casinos after Golden Hearts case
In Michigan state, where online real money gambling is legal, the MGCB begins sending cease and desist letters to sweepstakes companies, including VGW and Stake.us. As a result, these and other sweepstakes brands withdraw from the state to avoid legal trouble.
November 2023
McLuck awards 819,000 SC payout
A McLuck user wins a tremendous 800k+ SC jackpot on the Templar Tumble slot from a 0.2 SC wager.
July 2023
Hybrid social sportsbook/casino Kickr emerges
Kickr combines a sweepstakes sportsbook and casino experience, followed by other similar sites like Sportzino and Legendz.
April 2023
High 5 wins Best Social Gaming Operator at 2023 EGR North America Awards
It also goes on to claim the same award again in 2024.
March 2023
B2 enters the market with McLuck
B2Services OÜ from Estonia launches McLuck, which quickly gains prominence. The company followed with the launches of Hello Millions, Scratchful and Jackpota over the next two years, while setting a separate company to manage other popular brands like Mega Bonanza, PlayFame, and SportsMillions.
2022
Over 10 sweepstakes casinos launch within a year for the first time
Most of the major social gaming players entered the market in 2022, including JefeBet for the Spanish-language demographic, and WOW Vegas.
November 2022
VGW agrees to $11.75m settlement to end Kentucky lawsuit
A class action lawsuit had accused VGW of breaking gambling laws by selling virtual coins through LuckyLand and Chumba. VGW chooses not to admit wrongdoing per se, but any Kentucky residents who had used the sites were eligible to apply for a share of the settlement.
August 2022
Stake.com launches a US crypto sweeps casino
The brand new Stake.us platform innovates with features such as live dealer games and cryptocurrency payments. This was the precursor of many crypto sweepstakes casinos that are around today.
April 2022
Fortune Coins launches with fishing games
With games like Emily’s Treasure, Fortune Coins introduces classic arcades to the US digital gaming market.
2021
Illegitimate sweepstakes sites rise in popularity
Sites such as Riversweeps, BitBetWin, Vpower and Vegas X attract users despite their illegitimacy. They mostly lose traction by the end of 2023.
July 2020
Pulsz.com enters the market
Gibraltar-based company, Yellow Social Interactive launches Pulsz Casino as the first sweepstakes casino with 500+ casino-style games.
February 2016
Global Poker launches
After the success of Chumba, VGW launches a poker platform using a similar Sweeps Coins model with a license from the Malta Gaming Authority.
2012
Chumba employs a sweepstakes casino model for the first time
Australian company, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) launches what’s seen as the first internet sweepstakes casino in the US. Players can now play casino-style games and slots online, winning cash prizes via a sweepstakes format many other brands will imitate in the coming years.
Early 2010s
Laws passed to outlaw sweepstakes cafes
Starting with North Carolina in 2010, various US states (but not all) ban sweepstakes cafes.
Late 2000s
Sweepstakes cafes open up across the US
In-person internet cafes can be seen as the precursor to online sweepstakes casinos. They allow customers to buy time on computers to play slot-type games, sometimes winning a cash payout.
