Betting
Sweepstakes Casinos in the News - CT Gov Signs Ban, LA Gov Vetoes + New Class Actions
There are lots of important news items in this week's edition of Sweepstakes Casinos in the News. Connecticut, Louisiana, and class action lawsuits steal the spotlight this week.
SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.
Sweepstakes Casinos in the News
Each week we scour the web for news about sweepstakes casinos and online betting and bring it to you in our "Sweepstakes Casinos in the News" roundup.
There are some huge developments this week, so hold on to your hat. Let's get started.
Connecticut Governor Signs Sweepstakes Casino Ban Into Law
This past Wednesday, June 12th, Connecticut became the second state to explicitly outlaw sweepstakes gaming in their state laws, Montana being the first.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) affixed his signature to Senate Bill 1235 on Wednesday, signing the measure into law.
The Connecticut bill had unanimous support in the state house, where it passed on June 3rd, the day before the close of the legislative session. It was then sent to the governor's desk.
As of October 1st, "No person shall conduct or promote a sweepstakes or a promotional drawing" without license.
The new law also makes adjustments to sports betting in the state, allowing wagering on boxing and mixed martial arts for the first time. The new law also opens the door for limited betting on in-state schools at collegiate events.
Louisiana Governor Vetoes Sweeps Casino Ban
The story was different in Louisiana this week, where Governor Jeff Landry (R), vetoed the legislature's attempt to ban online sweepstakes casinos.
Gov. Landry vetoed Senate Bill 181, which proposed a prohibition on sweepstakes casinos. The bill had passed unanimously in both the state's Senate and House.
Landry's veto came despite his opposition to sweeps casinos. He referred to the bill as a "solution in search of a problem" that is already being handled by the current system. He added that some of the bill's language could have actually impeded law enforcement's efforts.
New Class Action Lawsuits Target Sweepstakes Operators
Once again, some sweepstakes casinos find themselves on the way to the courtroom, as new class action lawsuits have been filed against them.
Various sore losers (ooops, did I say that?) have filed class action lawsuits that accuse Blazegames, Social Gaming, Sportzino and Zula Casino of being sham Delaware companies really operating in Canada.
The plaintiffs in the case accuse the defendants of using aggressive social media advertising to lure consumers, particularly younger consumers and those predisposed to gambling addition, on to their platforms and spending large amounts of money under the guise of entertainment.
The plaintiff in the New York case accuses unjust enrichment and violation of NY's Loss Recover Statute and General Business Law.
Plaintiffs in the Illinois case accuse defendants of violation of the Illinois Loss Recovery Act and the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.
The losers, I mean plaintiffs, are seeking their money back, plus other relief, presumably so they can buy a plane ticket to Vegas.
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.