Casino operators like Caesars Entertainment Inc., Hard Rock
International, and MGM Resorts International, to name a few, hold a license to
operate in each state. Each casino operation is heavily regulated and pays
taxes each month based on reported revenue.
In 2018, states started to legalize online sports betting. Today,
over 35 states now have legal sports betting in one form or another, which can
be mobile/online or in-person betting at a retail sportsbook.
The states jumped at legalized sports betting a lot quicker than
online casinos. Online casino expansion is growing at a much
slower pace with only seven states participating.
Virginia Gaming Expansion
Aside from the state-run lottery, three different forms of
gambling are currently allowed in the Commonwealth of Virginia: casino
gaming and sports betting; horse racing and historical horse racing
machines; and charitable gaming. The state does not allow online casino gaming
like roulette, blackjack, slots, or poker.
The seven states that do provide legal online casinos, also
known as iGaming, generated $6.1 billion in gross revenue in 2024, according to
the American Gaming Association (AGA), a trade group representing many of the
companies in the industry. Legal sports betting generated $11 billion, the AGA
says.
Sharing a border with West Virginia, the Old Dominion may have
no choice but to legalize Internet gaming at some point. But that move is
probably years away. In the meantime, Virginia and other states are being flooded
with sweepstakes casino games.
Sweepstakes Casino Games
In 2012, Australia-based Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) launched
Chumba Casino followed by LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker. These websites are described
as sweepstakes casino games. But sweepstakes casinos are illegal in Australia. So
VGW sought advice from U.S.-based lawyers to launch their websites.
Sweepstakes casino games are found on websites that look,
feel, and act like regulated online casinos. But the keyword “sweepstakes”
gives them away. It’s a clear indication that it's not a real casino regulated
by the United States.
Sweepstakes operators aren’t regulated, licensed, or subject
to gaming taxes. These websites are operated by companies outside the United
States, also referred to as offshore websites.
These websites have become a multibillion-dollar industry
operating in a legally gray area. Some are available in all 50 states.
Sweepstakes Casinos in Virginia
Online gaming fans in Virginia can join sweepstakes casinos
and play for free with Gold Coins (GC) which are provided once they sign up. If
you run out of free Gold Coins you can always buy more on the site. But they cannot
be redeemed for real money.
If you want an option to win real money visitors can purchase
Sweeps Cash (SC). Sweeps Cash is a virtual currency you can redeem for real
cash prizes later. So, you have two options, play for fun with Gold Coins or
try and win real cash prizes by redeeming Sweep Cash.
Popping up all over the Internet, sweepstakes casinos are doing
very well financially.
Sweepstakes casinos drew nearly $6 billion in player
purchases last year, including $1.9 billion in net revenue, according to a report
published by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, a research and consulting firm in
California.
So how do the regulated online casinos in the U.S. feel
about sweepstakes casinos that don’t need a license, don’t pay taxes, and aren’t
regulated? The U.S. online casino market is ready to fight back against
sweepstakes casino success.
The AGA has asked all 50 U.S. states to investigate
sweepstakes casinos. In December 2023, Michigan, and a few other states, sent cease-and-desist
letters to sweepstakes casinos. Michigan is host to U.S. online casinos like Caesars
Place Online, BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKIngs, and FanDuel.
Sweepstakes operators are upfront and honest about where
they are available and where they have been banned.
One of many sweepstakes casinos MyPrize.us states on its
website that it is “always free to enter or win our games. No Purchase
Necessary. Void where prohibited by law.” The site is described as a “widespread
sweepstakes casino” for access across the United States. It’s available in 43
states, including locations where social casinos are typically restricted.
Researching the companies behind these sweepstakes casinos beforehand
is always a good idea. You should know exactly what you are getting into.
MyPrize
MyPrize was founded by Zach Bruch of Miami, Fla. MyPrize is
a crypto sweepstakes casino. The site is backed by world-class investors across
the casino, tech, and crypto industries. This makes MyPrize one of the first
companies in the online casino industry with leading Silicon Valley investors.
The website provides social slot games, table games, and
casual games.
Once opening an account on the website, you can get a Daily
Reload of free GC and SC to play just for logging on each day.
Pulsz
This site will get your pulse racing with its huge selection
of casino-style games. The website advertises games like roulette, blackjack,
and slots. But clicking on the table games link only reveals two games, Texas
Hold’Em and Multihand Blackjack.
If slots are your thing the website has a catalog of over
380 games.
Users can gain free GC and SC daily just by logging into the
site each day.
You don’t need to download anything; you can start playing for
free. The more you play, the more rewards you’ll get to climb to VIP status.
The site is available on a desktop computer, mobile phone, or tablet.
Stake
Stake.us is one of the leading sweepstakes casinos in the
United States and a well-known name in the industry.
The site provides a catalog of slot games, live dealer
games, poker, table games, and scratch cards. Like most sites, you can claim a
daily bonus of GC and SC currency just for logging in each day.
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