Sweeps Casino News - Stake Leaves AZ, Chumba Leaves NJ & WOW Vegas Gets Sued

Stake.us Pulls Up Stake in Arizona

One of the largest sweepstakes casino operators, Stake.us, has begun the process of winding down their Arizona business with an estimated complete shutdown in mid-August.

Although Arizona has not passed any new legislation related to sweepstakes casinos, the Arizona Department of Gaming has made some very strong moves against sweepstakes casinos and referred to "illegal online casinos and sweepstakes platforms" in a recent public service announcement.

Back in April of this year, the Department sent out cease-and-desist letters to seven gaming operators that it claimed were going after Arizona punters without having the required licenses.

So a little bit of heat and Stake folds, or shall we say "pulls up stake?"

Stake.us has already made it impossible for Arizonans to register new accounts. As of right now, their plan is to make Stake.us completely inaccessible to players located in Arizona starting on August 12th.

Chumba, Luckyland Slots and Global Poker Exit New Jersey

We thought the mass exodus by sweepstakes casinos in the New Jersey market was already over, but now there are a few more heading for the hills.

Previously, several sweepstakes operators left the state, including all of the B2 Services sweeps casinos (McLuck, Play Fame, Jackpota, Spin Blitz, Mega Bonanza and Hello Millions), plus Pulsz, Legendz, Baba Casino and many more.

However, there was one really big fish still swimming around in the New Jersey pond, VGW, the operators of Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots and Global Poker.

That has apparently changed, as the group's casinos are finally heading for the exits in New Jersey. Sweeps coins can no longer be earned by players in the state starting July 29th. Play with sweeps coins ends on August 26th. After that time, the only thing players in New Jersey can do with their sweeps coins is redeem them.

Why the sweepstakes casino exits in the Garden State? Back on June 30th, the state legislature approved Assembly Bill A5447, which redefined illegal gambling in an attempt to include sweepstakes casinos.

It's been four weeks since the law passed the legislature, but Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has yet to act on it. However, if the Governor does not take any action, the bill will by default become law on August 14th.

In other words, only a decision to veto the bill by the Governor will prevent the new law's final approval in about two weeks.

We'll let you know if he decides to do something.