The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) has issued cease-and-desist orders to seven unregulated gambling operators, including sweepstakes casino Stake.us, as part of a growing effort to enforce state gambling laws and protect consumers.
The ADG’s latest enforcement action also targeted six additional sites, ranging from sports betting to raffles and a peer-to-peer exchange. The agency stated these sites violated laws related to promotion of gambling, illegal control of an enterprise, and money laundering. The operators have been ordered to immediately stop offering gambling services to Arizona residents.
“Illegal gambling doesn’t just break the law; it robs our state’s economy and puts consumers at risk,” said ADG Director Jackie Johnson. The agency emphasized that legal, regulated gambling in Arizona provides consumer protections, fair play, and accountability, while unauthorized platforms undermine these standards.
Sites Targeted by Arizona AG
The ADG’s latest enforcement action targeted seven operators. They are:
- Stake.us
- ReBet (sports betting)
- Novig (peer-to-peer exchange)
- Dallas Safari Club and Fanthem (raffles)
- BettorEdge
- High Five
How Sweepstakes Casinos Operate
Sweepstakes casinos use a model that allows players to participate in casino-style games using virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Players can often obtain these coins for free or by purchasing Gold Coins that come with Sweeps Coins as a bonus. Sweeps Coins can typically be redeemed for cash prizes, enabling operators to function in many states without traditional gambling licenses.
While the model is legal in many jurisdictions, Arizona’s enforcement actions indicate that not all sweepstakes casino operations align with state regulations, especially when consumer protections and licensing requirements are not met.
A Broader Trend in State Enforcement
Arizona’s actions align with a broader trend in state-level enforcement against unregulated gambling. Earlier this month, Mississippi announced a ban on sweepstakes and offshore casinos, naming 10 operators and blocking their domains within the state.
That move followed similar efforts to curb sweeps casinos in Louisiana, New York, and Michigan.
What Players Need to Know
For players in Arizona, these developments may impact access to certain sweepstakes and unlicensed gambling platforms. Players should verify whether the platforms they use comply with state regulations to ensure they are protected under consumer and gaming laws.
As additional states review and enforce laws around sweepstakes casinos, players can expect closer scrutiny of how these platforms operate and potential changes to their availability across the U.S.
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