The Maine gambling regulator is the latest to put out a warning to the world of unregulated gambling, including sweepstakes casino operators.
Maine’s Gambling Control Unit issued a press release Monday warning residents of the various unlicensed Maine sports betting and online casino operators. Sweepstakes casinos offer two types of currency, including one that allows customers to win real cash prizes.
“The Gambling Control Unit wants to make it very clear: no online casino, iGaming, or sweepstakes site is licensed by the Gambling Control Unit,” the release reads. “We strongly encourage everyone to avoid these websites. However, patrons who choose to engage with these unlicensed platforms do so at their own risk.”
No help for sweepstakes casino issues
GCU Executive Director Milton Champion issued the warning. In the release, it states the department cannot provide assistance or intervention on issues arising from using the platforms.
The release denotes that advanced deposit wagering, fantasy contests and sports betting are legal. It also explicitly states that online casino games are illegal. The release said those sites can include sweepstakes and social casino sites that offer real-money payouts and dual-currency systems.
“Numerous unregulated entities continue to target Maine residents, offering illicit iGaming opportunities,” the release said. “These operations, based out of state and often out of the country include sites that may appear legitimate but lack any regulatory oversight in Maine.”
Earlier this month, Maine legislators restarted conversations about online casino. Online Maine sports betting began in November 2023.
Growing legislative issue
This legislative session began with a few state legislatures acting quickly on sweepstakes sites. Prohibition bills passed their chamber of origin in Maryland and Mississippi before stalling out.
As the session grew later, four states ended up passing prohibition legislation:
- Connecticut
- Louisiana
- Montana
- Nevada
Multiple regulators have also issued cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes operators. That includes New York, which recently set 26 such letters to operators. The letters came after VGW had already announced its popular Chumba, Global Poker and Luckyland sites would leave the Empire State.
