TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is targeting major online “sweepstakes” casinos, according to a press release.
Uthmeier filed two lawsuits in Hillsborough County Circuit Court on Wednesday against the operators of these online casinos, including Stake and VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand and Global Poker.
The complaints allege the defendants are running illegal online gambling enterprises, violating the state’s gambling laws.
“These so-called ‘sweepstakes’ and ‘social casinos’ are illegal online gambling,” Uthmeier said. “If it looks like a casino, take real money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino-and it is illegal under Florida law.
Uthmeier claims these companies prey on minors and seniors with “deceptive marketing.” He also says they dodge the state’s licensing, taxation and consumer protection requirements.
The complaints claim the defendants use a dual-currency model designed to disguise real-money gambling.
Players buy packages of “Gold Coins” that come bundled with “Stake Cash” or “Sweeps Coins,” which are used as wagering credits that can be cashed out for cryptocurrency, gift cards or cash, according to the lawsuits.
The platforms have traditional casino games like slots, blackjack and poker and are marketed as free and safe, the complaints claim.
The lawsuit aims to stop the defendants from operating or soliciting in Florida and the forfeiture and recovery of money lost by Florida consumers.
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