Sweepstakes Operators Announce Formation Of Social And Promotional Gaming Association

The sweepstakes industry is getting organized.

Eleven companies operating sweepstakes or social gaming sites announced Thursday the formation of the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), which, according to a press release, is “dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social and promotional games, sometimes referred to as social sweepstakes games.”

The announcement of the SPGA comes just two weeks after the American Gaming Association — which represents regulated casinos and online operators — issued a memo encouraging a closer look into the legality of operators employing the sweepstakes model.

That model, as described in a recent feature report on Casino Reports examining a group of players profiting off sweepstakes casinos, relies upon sweepstakes law and utilizes a loophole by which real money is deposited or withdrawn from the site but site-specific currency is used for the casino games or sports wagering.

Several states, most notably Michigan, Delaware, and Washington, have made efforts to prevent some of the sweepstakes operators from serving customers in their states.

Who’s in the club?

The SPGA’s press release listed 11 member operators:

• 10 Ten Gaming
• Blazesoft
• Fliff
• FSG Digital
• Gold Coin Group
• High 5 Entertainment
• KHK Games
• Kickr Games
• Octacom
• Rolling Riches
• Woopla Gaming

“The formation of the SPGA is a critical step toward establishing a clear and cohesive voice for the social sweepstakes industry,” FSG Digital Inc. CEO Seth Schorr said in the release. “By creating this association, we are committed to helping regulators and policymakers understand how our industry’s products work and how they comply with the appropriate state and federal laws.”

On the SPGA website, the group further describes its mission:

“Social and promotional gaming has become an integral part of the digital entertainment landscape, enjoyed by millions of players across the United States. These platforms offer engaging experiences that blend the thrill of gaming with innovative social and promotional elements, focusing on fun and interactive gameplay rather than monetary rewards.

“The Social and Promotional Games Association and its members are committed to protecting players, promoting responsible innovation, and advocating for clear regulations that allow the industry to flourish. By uniting platforms under a single banner, we present a unified voice for integrity and responsibility in social and promotional gaming, working to secure a bright future for both the industry and its players.”