Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed two lawsuits against operators of major online sweepstakes casinos including Stake and VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand and Global Poker.
The lawsuits were filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court and also target payment processors allegedly supporting the platforms. The Attorney General’s Office claims the defendants are operating illegal online gambling businesses in violation of Florida gambling laws and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
According to the lawsuits, players purchase packages of “Gold Coins” that come with redeemable “Sweepstakes Coins” which can be wagered on virtual slots, blackjack and poker.
Winnings can then be redeemed for cryptocurrency, gift cards or cash. The state claims this amounts to real-money gambling disguised as a sweepstakes model.
The state is seeking permanent injunctions against the operators as well as the recovery of money lost by Florida residents.
Uthmeier noted: “If it looks like a casino, takes real money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino – and it is illegal under Florida law.
‘’These companies have been preying on Floridians, including minors and seniors, with deceptive marketing, and 24/7 access, while dodging our state’s licensing, taxation, and consumer-protection requirements. They must be stopped.”
Florida law strictly limits gambling and authorizes slot machines only under narrow circumstances at licensed facilities.
The state's non-Tribal gambling establishments recently reported $53.8m in slot machine revenue for June 2026, down 3.4% year-over-year.
Harrah’s Pompano Beach led growth among major operators with revenue rising 7.8% to $10.3m, while Big Easy Casino was the only other operator to record growth, increasing 12.4% to $2.9m.
Magic City Casino remained the largest revenue generator at $11.5m, despite a 1.7% decline. Non-Tribal operators paid more than $18.8m in taxes to the state, while average daily revenue per machine reached $264.
In June, Stake launched in Argentina’s Buenos Aires Province, continuing its expansion across Latin America
