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PCH Makes Modo Official Social Casino, NC Player Sues Sweeps Casinos + More

The sweepstakes casino world is full of news once again, as Publisher's Clearing House (PCH) picks an official social casino and a North Carolina man takes aim at US sweepstakes casinos in a new lawsuit. Meanwhile, out in California, the sweepstakes ban proposal is heading to the Senate floor.

Steve Lapinski
Steve Lapinski

Last updated: 2025-08-31

Chad Nagel

7 minutes read

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Publisher's Clearing House (PCH) has chosen an official social casino.

Recently, Modo's parent company purchased Publisher's Clearing House (PCH.) So it probably shouldn't surprise any of us that Modo has been designated PCH's official social casino.

Modo is the Official Social Casino of PCH

We could have seen this one coming a mile away. As we reported recently here at SportsBoom, ARB Interactive, the parent company of Modo Casino, a social and sweepstakes casino for US players, acquired the Publisher's Clearing House brand in June of this year.

Now, Modo is the "official social casino" of Publisher's Clearing House. Gee, I wonder how that happened?

Publisher's Clearing House (PCH) was in financial troubles for quite some time and ARB just happened to be in the neighborhood of its rotting carcass when the opportunity presented itself for the acquisition.

For people my age and older, we're well acquainted with the PCH brand. Their sweepstakes contests sent "Prize Patrol" members to people's homes with big checks, often at key moments like Super Bowl Sundays. The magical winning moments were filmed and broadcast on television.

But the days of PCH's sweepstakes and magazine subscription sales have essentially passed them by, as people have gravitated towards online publications instead. However, as evidenced by ARB's acquisition, the brand still has residual value.

And now, what goodwill remained for the PCH brand has been funneled into promoting a sweepstakes casino.

Also, PCH has officially weighed in as opponents of the proposed sweepstakes ban in the State of California. Big shock.

And speaking of the proposed sweepstakes casino ban out in California, that brings us to our next news item...

California Sweeps Casino Ban Heads to Senate Floor

There's been a lot of back and forth about the proposed sweepstakes casino ban in California, AB 831, however, despite the friction, the bill is moving on in the process.

AB 831 has advanced from the Senate Appropriations Committee and will be up for a vote on the floor of the full California Senate.

The bill advanced through a procedure that allowed the committee to move over 200 bills with no debate.

The other house of the California legislature, the State Assembly, has already passed a sweepstakes casino ban this year, however the two bills are not identical.

Because there are substantial differences between the two bills, the State Assembly will either need to pass the Senate's bill or a compromise between the two must be reached.

If they can accomplish either of the two options, the bill will head to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom (D.)

North Carolina Resident Sues Two Sweeps Casinos & Affirm

A man in North Carolina has filed a lawsuit in federal court against ARB Gaming LLC, B2 Services OU, and lender Affirm, claiming that all three of them exploited his gambling addiction, causing him severe harm, both financially and emotionally.

ARB Gaming LLC operates Modo Casino and B2 Services OU is the company behind McLuck Casino. Both are dual-currency social and sweepstakes casino sites that operate in the US market.

Matthew Joyce of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the plaintiff, and his 346-page complaint was filed in the Eastern District of California. It alleges that the two social casinos in question are operating illegal gambling sites disguised to look like sweepstakes.

Joyce claims that the defendants targeted him, exploited his addiction to gambling, and used extraordinary measures to maximize his losses on their platforms.

Among Joyce's other claims:

  • Joyce alleges that McLuck Casino deliberately delayed processing his withdrawal requests
  • Joyce alleges that he was forced to sign new terms and conditions under duress as a condition for access to their platform
  • Joyce also claims that the RTP of games was manipulated at key financial moments

Joyce also goes after co-defendant Affirm, claiming that he showed a "clear pattern of addiction-driven borrowing," yet they continued to lend him money through dozens of transactions. Many of the loans through Affirm carried interest rates of 24 to 25 percent, according to Joyce.

If Matthew Joyce gets his way, he's going to hit the jackpot. He is seeking $10.5 million in damages from Modo, another $1 million in damages from McLuck, plus $1 million from Affirm.

If he does prevail, my guess is that his next stop isn't Disney World. Something tells me Las Vegas is his ideal weekend getaway.

Steve Lapinski
Steve LapinskiCasino Editor

Steve Lapinski specializes in just about everything related to slot machines and casino games, both online and in land-based casinos in the USA. With over 25 years experience in the online gaming industry and nearly 40 years as a recreational gambler, the breadth of his knowledge on these topics is matched by few. Steve is passionate about casinos, and he takes great pride in sharing his knowledge of the subject with his readers.

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