Arizona regulators are taking more action against unregulated gambling operators, including a major sweepstakes casino.
The Arizona Department of Gaming issued seven cease-and-desist orders last week to unregulated gambling sites, including sweepstakes casino operator Stake.us. It is the ADG’s second significant wave of cease-and-desist orders to unregulated operators.
“Illegal gambling, regardless of the platform or format, has no place in Arizona,” ADG Director Jackie Johnson said in a release. “Whether it’s online casino-style games, sweepstakes models, or unauthorized sports betting, any operation that falls outside Arizona’s legal and regulatory framework will face enforcement action.”
Sweepstakes casino C&D
Along with Stake, the ADG sent six other cease-and-desist letters:
- ReBet (sports betting)
- Novig (peer-to-peer exchange)
- Dallas Safari Club (raffle)
- Fanthem (raffle)
- BettorEdge (multiple)
- High Five (multiple)
The ADG said it directed the sites to cease all online gambling operations immediately.
Breaking Arizona law
According to the ADG, the sites are breaking multiple Arizona gambling laws, including:
- Promotion of Gambling
- Illegal Control of an Enterprise
- Money Laundering
The ADG said the letters are part of its commitment to protecting the state and its consumers. It said regulated gambling offers consumer protections, fair play and accountability.
“Illegal gambling doesn’t just break the law; it robs our state’s economy and puts consumers at risk,” Johnson said. “The Department stands firmly with our licensed and regulated operators who are following the rules, contributing to Arizona’s economic health and upholding the protections that a regulated market provides.”
Arizona regulatory commitment
In December 2024, it announced a C&D letter to major offshore sportsbook Bovada. In April, Arizona sent its first wave of cease-and-desist orders to unregulated operators.
April’s wave included operators like Modo.us, Epic Hunts, MyBookie and BetUS.
The ADG has also been active in sending out public service announcements to residents about the gambling industry. That includes a PSA earlier this year about imitation casinos.
