Pragmatic Play Exits US Sweepstakes Casinos

Pragmatic Play has stopped licensing its games to U.S. sweepstakes casinos. 

The developer of popular online slot games like Big Bass Bonanza and Wolf Gold, cited evolving regulations and legal risks. 

The move follows a Los Angeles civil lawsuit filed on the 28th August against Stake.us that named Pragmatic and other suppliers, accused of enabling illegal gambling. 

Unlike some peers, Pragmatic does not yet operate in the regulated U.S. iGaming market, and its withdrawal is seen as a potential step toward pursuing a formal U.S. expansion.

While several states, including Montana, New Jersey, and California, are moving to tighten restrictions on sweepstakes gaming, enforcement actions and new laws are already prompting companies to exit the market. Evolution and Hacksaw Gaming previously pulled back, but Pragmatic Play’s full withdrawal from all U.S. sweepstakes casinos marks the most significant move yet.

Industry-wide, regulations are shrinking sweepstakes casino operations, reducing game offerings or forcing closures, especially in states like New York. Pragmatic Play’s departure demonstrates an increasing loss of faith in the sweepstakes casino model in the U.S.

References

• Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles