Interested in Fish Table Games? Here’s What You Should Know

The New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering committee officially advanced a bill, S5935, which moves to prohibit sweepstakes gaming in the state. Even though the bill isn't scheduled for a hearing yet, the passing of it by the New York Senate committee is a vital step in the fight to make social and sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks illegal in NY.

A bill that would ban sweepstakes gaming in New York took a significant step forward on Tuesday, receiving a favorable vote in the Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee. The committee unanimously passed Senate Bill S5935, moving it to the Senate floor for further consideration.

The legislation, introduced by committee chairman Senator Joseph Addabbo, aims to crack down on controversial online social casinos and sportsbooks that operate under a sweepstakes model. Although the bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing on the Senate floor, this advancement marks an important step in the push to make such platforms illegal in the Empire State.

Targeting online sweepstakes gaming

The proposed legislation, titled S5935, seeks to "prohibit online sweepstakes games and revenue from illegal markets" while establishing enforcement measures and penalties. The bill targets gaming platforms that use a "dual-currency" system, which has drawn scrutiny from multiple states.

Sweepstakes casinos operate similarly to traditional online gaming platforms, offering slots, table games, and even sports betting. But while players can access some virtual coins for free, they can also purchase additional currency with real money. Winnings from these games can often be exchanged for cash or prizes, creating a grey area in gambling regulation.

The bill not only aims to outlaw sweepstakes gaming but also holds payment processors, financial institutions, geolocation providers, media affiliates, and gaming content providers accountable for supporting such operations. Under S5935, violations could result in fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, along with the potential loss of a gaming license. The gaming commission, law enforcement agencies, and the attorney general's office would be responsible for enforcing the law if the bill passes.

Growing legislative support

A companion bill has also been introduced in the New York State Assembly by the chair of the Assembly's Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, Carrie Woerner. However, that bill has not yet progressed out of committee.

Senator Addabbo has been vocal about the need for regulatory action against these online platforms. The bill states that online sweepstakes casinos have become widely available in New York through personal computers and mobile devices, often making them accessible to minors. Lawmakers argue that these operations sidestep consumer protection measures, responsible gaming requirements, and anti-money laundering regulations. Additionally, because they are unregulated and untaxed, they pose unfair competition to New York's legal and highly regulated gambling industry.

Nationwide crackdown on sweepstakes casinos

New York is not alone in its efforts to ban sweepstakes gaming. Several other states have recently introduced similar measures.

In Maryland, lawmakers are even closer to outlawing online sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks. The state's Senate recently passed a bill that is now being considered in the House of Representatives. If approved, Maryland would become the first state to officially ban this form of gaming.

New Jersey has also entered the debate, with Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese filing a bill to prohibit sweepstakes casinos. This move comes less than two months after Calabrese had initially proposed legalizing them. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Mississippi and Connecticut have also introduced legislation aimed at shutting down these platforms.

As more states take action against sweepstakes gaming, the industry will be watching closely to see if New York follows through with a full ban. If S5935 advances to the Senate floor and passes, it could have a lasting impact on the future of online gaming regulations in the state and beyond.

The Department of Consumer Protection in Connecticut has issued a suspension of license for High5Games, which it says also illegally operated another online casino. High5Games is a legal licensed service provider in the state of Connecticut - but in a recent investigation conducted by the DCP, it was found that High5Games also illegally operates High5Casino, which is unlicensed.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (Gaming Division) has submitted a suspension of the Online Gaming Service Provider license held by High5Games following an investigation that revealed the company was illegally operating another online casino which remains without a license, High5Casino.

High5Games, a licensed developer and provider of slot content for legal gaming platforms, was found to be running High5Casino without proper authorization. The platform was falsely marketed as a legally licensed casino and was also accepting wagers from Connecticut residents, including persons who had voluntarily signed up for the Voluntary Self-Exclusion List in the state.

Violation of Connecticut gaming laws

Connecticut law permits only two platforms to offer iCasino wagering within the state: DraftKings and FanDuel, which operate under agreements with Foxwoods Casino and Mohegan Sun, respectively. The DCP Gaming Division's investigation stated that High5Casino had accepted deposits from 1,100 players in Connecticut, with 911 individuals collectively losing $937,938. Alarmingly, 108 of these individuals were on the state's Voluntary Self-Exclusion List, and they lost nearly $300,000 on the illegal platform.

As a result of these violations, High5Games is now facing 1,065 criminal counts of illegal gaming activities. Each count is classified as a Class A misdemeanor under Connecticut law, carrying a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail as well as a fine of up to $2,000 per violation.

DCP pledges consumer restitution and enforcement

DCP has stated that it will seek compensation for eligible consumers who suffered financial losses due to the misleading marketing of High5Casino as a legitimate platform.

"Thank you to our Gaming Division team for their hard work to hold this licensee accountable," said Bryan T. Cafferelli, DCP Commissioner. He went on to say that holding a gaming license is a privilege, and they expect their credential holders to take that responsibility seriously. But High5Games took advantage of their credential to mislead consumers into believing they were engaging in legal gaming when, in reality, they were breaking the law. Furthermore, he stated: "We remind consumers that there are only two licensed online casinos in Connecticut - DraftKings/Foxwoods and FanDuel/Mohegan Sun. If you choose to participate in online gaming, ensure you use only these licensed platforms."

Kris Gilman, the DCP Gaming Division Director, echoed this sentiment, expressing disappointment that a licensed service provider exploited Connecticut consumers. "It is difficult to recover funds from illegal platforms," Gilman said. "Gambling on licensed platforms is the only way to guarantee recovered funds in the event of an issue with a game or platform."

Immediate suspension and removal of High5Games content

The suspension of High5Games' Online Gaming Service Provider license is effective immediately. Additionally, all games provided by High5Games to DraftKings and FanDuel will be removed from their platforms. A copy of the official summary suspension order has been made available to the public.

The DCP encourages consumers to report any gaming-related issues or concerns by contacting [email protected]. For individuals experiencing gambling-related issues, confidential support is available through the Connecticut Council on Problem Gaming's 24/7 Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-888-789-7777 or by visiting ccpg.org. Additional information about self-exclusion programs and resources for those struggling with gambling addiction can be found at portal.ct.gov/problemgaming or ct.gov/selfexclusion.

As regulatory authorities continue to uphold gaming laws in Connecticut, consumers are reminded to exercise caution and only engage with legally licensed online gaming platforms.

As more states place sweepstakes casinos under closer scrutiny, some online sweepstakes operators have already made their exit from certain states. Hello Millions and McLuck have exited the states of West Virginia and Maryland, and three other sweeps casinos have pulled out of Maryland as well, namely Mega Bonanza, Spree, and Jackpota.

The exodus of online sweepstakes casinos from West Virginia and Maryland continues, as regulatory scrutiny intensifies against the controversial gaming vertical. Leading brands like Hello Millions and McLuck have now added both states to their growing list of restricted territories, while three additional platforms - Spree, Mega Bonanza, and Jackpota - have officially ceased operations in Maryland as of February 21. These five brands now block users from a minimum of 12 US states.

The recent departures align with growing regulatory pressure in both states, as lawmakers and enforcement agencies take decisive action against online sweepstakes casinos. Maryland, in particular, is considering an outright ban, while West Virginia's Attorney General is reportedly investigating the industry's operations.

Maryland lawmakers push for ban following cease-and-desist orders

Senator Paul Corderman from Maryland has introduced Senate Bill 860 (SB860), which explicitly seeks to prohibit sweepstakes casinos. The bill defines these platforms as online gaming sites that employ a dual-currency system - one that utilizes both free and real money - mimicking the experience of traditional online casinos or lottery-style gaming. If passed, SB860 would criminalize not only sweepstakes operators but also service providers that support these platforms.

SB860 is set for a committee hearing on the 5th of March, with its House counterpart, House Bill 1140, scheduled for discussion the following day. The bill was introduced following a series of cease-and-desist letters issued by the gaming regulator of Maryland to several unauthorized online gambling operators, which included some offering sweepstakes-based gaming products.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency has confirmed that it issued a cease-and-desist order to McLuck but has not publicly disclosed enforcement actions against the other four brands that recently exited the state.

West Virginia investigates sweepstakes operators

On the other hand, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is reportedly leading a probe into the operations of multiple sweepstakes casinos. While specific details remain undisclosed, industry sources suggest subpoenas have been issued to several sweepstakes gaming companies as part of an ongoing investigation.

Mega Bonanza, one of the recently withdrawn brands, confirmed in a statement that it has ceased operations in Maryland but did not provide additional details regarding its decision or its standing in West Virginia. The state's regulatory authority has not yet commented on whether further enforcement actions are forthcoming.

Industry-wide retreat from US markets

The sweepstakes casino sector has been facing increased legal scrutiny across the US, leading to multiple market withdrawals beyond Maryland and West Virginia.

Just last week, High 5 Games, a major online gaming entity, announced it would shut down its operations in six states that currently have legal online casino gaming, which includes West Virginia. Similarly, Stake.US has also recently exited the Mountain State and several other jurisdictions.

Beyond these two states, the national outlook for sweepstakes casinos remains uncertain. Mississippi recently became the first state legislative body to approve a full ban on online sweepstakes gaming. Meanwhile, in New Jersey, lawmakers are exploring an alternative approach - proposing to regulate sweepstakes casinos under a framework similar to online casino gaming and sports betting.

What's next for sweepstakes gaming?

With mounting regulatory pressure, it is unclear how many more states will move to restrict or ban online sweepstakes casinos in the coming months. The industry, which has long operated in a legal gray area, is now facing an increasing number of legal challenges that could reshape its future in the US market.

For Maryland and West Virginia players who relied on these platforms for entertainment, the closures mark yet another shift in the rapidly evolving gaming arena. As legislative efforts and enforcement actions continue, the industry will closely monitor how these developments impact the wider regulatory environment for online gaming across the nation.