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NY Legislator Proposes Sweeps Casino Legalization, NFL Licensed Social Casino Slot + More News

In a bizarre twist, a New York state senator has proposed legalization of sweeps casinos, not prohibition. Also, news items about DraftKings, VGW, the NFL's entrance into social casino slots, plus much more.

Steve Lapinski
Steve Lapinski

Last updated: 2025-08-22

Chad Nagel

10 minutes read

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Although a bill to ban sweepstakes casinos is awaiting approval from New York Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured above), one State Senator is proposing legalization of sweeps casinos instead. (Getty Images)

Empire State Legislator Proposes NY Sweeps Casino Legalization

Over the past few months, many sweepstakes casinos have been running for the exits in New York state as SB S5935A, a bill that would ban their operation in the Empire State, awaits the signature of NY Governor Kathy Hochul (D.) However, if one state lawmaker has his way, they might not be gone for long.

Recently, at the Saratoga Racing and Gaming Conference, a New York state senator, Joseph Addabbo Jr., proposed exactly the opposite: legalization of sweepstakes casino-style gaming.

To those that follow New York politics, this probably won't come as a surprise. Addabbo has been one of the strongest advocates for online casino gaming for quite some time. Rather than banning the social casinos with sweepstakes elements, Addabbo has a plan to make the games safer for the State's players and also ensuring that the games are fair, while giving a boost to the state's economy at the same time.

Furthermore, an outright ban likely won't get all sweepstakes casinos to leave the state. It is most likely that only the largest, best and fairest operators will leave first. That could lead to a vacuum, potentially filled by uncrupulous operators that are more likely to scam players.

Aristocrat Leisure and the NFL Team Up for Social Casino Slot

In what could be perceived as a first step towards eventual real money online gambling on NFL-branded slot machines, the league has teamed up with popular land-based slot machine maker Aristocrat Leisure via their online social casino subsidiary, Product Madness, to launch the Super Bowl Jackpots slot machine online.

Aristocrat Leisure's Product Madness subsidiary offers free-to-play social casino games, including many of the parent company's top titles, including Dragon Link, Timber Wolf, and various Buffalo slot machines. The games are "free-to-play," although players can also buy additional coins if they choose.

The main difference between the Product Madness casino, where the new NFL slots are hosted, and sweepstakes casinos is that no coins at the Aristocrat Leisure social casino may be redeemed for cash or prizes.

In other words, the games are the product. You can only lose your money.

Alright, I'm kidding about that (to a degree.) Aristocrat makes some really cool games, and playing them on their iOS or Android app is still cheaper than getting blasted on them in a real world casino.

This is not the first time that Aristocrat Leisure and the NFL have teamed up; prior to the 2023 NFL season, the two collaborated to produce land-based casino slots that can be found in brick-and-mortar casinos from coast to coast.

Federal Judge Dismisses Montana Suit Against VGW

It seems like VGW, operators of popular sweepstakes casinos Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Global Poker, has been under fire from all sides across the United States. I guess that's the price of being the big dog in an industry with a big target on its back.

However, yet again, it seems like they have dodged a bullet.

A federal judge in the state of Montana has issued a dismissal in a court case targeting VGW.

This case stems from the complaint of a Montana resident, Michael Lighter, that claimed that the dual-currency model employed by VGW's casino brands violated both state and federal laws.

Lighter was looking for a payday in the case, but Judge Donald W. Molloy of the Federal District Court has since approved VGW's request to dismiss the case without prejudice.

It is unclear how or why the case has come to an end, but there is speculation that the plaintiff, Mr. Lighter, may have received a settlement from VGW.

Montana is a state where sweepstakes casino sites are explicitly against state law, as Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a ban into law earlier this year.

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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