Pragmatic Play has suspended its sweepstakes casino operations amid rising regulatory pressure. California’s Assembly Bill 831, which could criminalise suppliers supporting online sweepstakes games, is advancing through the legislature.
Regulatory Pressure
Several other companies have already made moves in response to this shifting landscape. According to reports, Evolution has also pulled its games from Stake.us in California, signalling similar concerns regarding legal and regulatory risks. Pragmatic Play had previously limited its sweepstakes casino offerings in several states, adapting to varied local restrictions.
Some providers, including Light & Wonder and Play’n GO, have consistently avoided entering the sweepstakes market. Play’n GO notably issued a press release in May 2025 explicitly opposing supplying games to any sweepstakes casino. These actions illustrate a growing trend among major providers to distance themselves from the sweepstakes vertical amid regulatory uncertainty.
Industry Response
This retreat from sweepstakes casinos underscores the volatility and legal complexity of this market segment. Pragmatic Play’s exit as a first mover could set a precedent for others navigating regulatory risks in the US iGaming space. The evolving regulatory frameworks, combined with active lobbying from traditional gaming sectors, are reshaping the presence and strategies of content suppliers in the sweepstakes arena.
As legislation like California’s AB 831 potentially criminalises support for sweepstakes games, suppliers increasingly weigh the risks and benefits of maintaining operations in this contentious vertical.
