TLDR
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warned Google, Meta, and TikTok to stop hosting ads for online sweepstakes casinos.
- The companies have until October 23 to confirm in writing that the ads have been removed.
- In August, Florida sued Stake, VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, Global Poker, and their payment processors.
- The state says the sites’ dual-currency systems let players redeem winnings for cash, crypto, or gift cards.
- Florida seeks permanent injunctions, restitution, forfeiture of proceeds, and civil penalties.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has warned major tech companies to stop running ads for online sweepstakes casinos. The warning covers Google, Meta, and TikTok, according to reports.
Uthmeier said the companies could face legal consequences if the ads stay up. He stressed that promoting illegal gambling is a crime under Florida law.
In a letter sent to Google’s general counsel, Uthmeier laid out his office’s position. “Google therefore cannot advertise these illegal ‘sweepstake’ websites on its social media platforms in Florida,” he wrote.
Lawsuits Filed Against Operators in August
The letter follows lawsuits his office filed in August. Those suits target Stake and VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker. Payment processors that support the operators were also named.
Florida law tightly restricts gambling. None of the sweepstakes casinos named in the suits are authorized to operate in the state.
The state argued that these sites are not simple social games. It said they run casino-style operations around the clock while avoiding the licensing, taxes, and consumer protections required by state law.
“If it looks like a casino, takes real money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino, and it is illegal under Florida law,” Uthmeier said in a statement at the time.
How the Dual-Currency System Works
The case focuses on how money moves through these platforms. Customers buy packages of Gold Coins, which come bundled with a second currency.
That second currency is called Stake Cash or Sweeps Coins, depending on the site. Gold Coins are used for social gaming, while the bundled credits can be wagered.
Once certain play-through conditions are met, those credits can be redeemed for cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Florida says this setup is a disguise.
According to the state, players are still risking money on games of chance. They also have the chance to pull out real value afterward.
The lawsuits describe slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker being marketed as free or social entertainment. The state also pointed to celebrity endorsements and influencer campaigns that promote big wins and mislead Floridians.
By naming payment processors alongside the operators, the state is challenging the entire system behind the sites.
The attorney general is seeking permanent injunctions to block the defendants from operating in Florida. He also wants restitution for consumers and forfeiture of gambling proceeds.
Civil penalties are being sought under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The tech companies now face a firm deadline. Uthmeier gave them until October 23 to confirm in writing that they have removed sweepstakes casino ads from their platforms.
