According to AGA's latest study, people now clearly see sweepstakes as a form of gambling.

The American Gaming Association is once again stepping into the conversation about sweepstakes and social casinos, striving to understand public sentiment and shed light on the content these platforms provide.

The debate surrounding the legitimacy of sweepstakes social casinos is intensifying. Questions loom about whether these companies can continue their operations without falling under gambling regulations. State gambling regulators and attorneys general have come out strongly against these operations, while the Social and Promotional Games Association defends them, claiming the activity is legally sound and not gambling at all. Meanwhile, the American Gaming Association (AGA) seeks to sway public opinion, aiming to prove that people often perceive sweepstakes as gambling. According to a recent survey, 68% of participants engage with sweepstakes social casinos, hoping to win real money through a dual currency system. The AGA argues that this confusion isn’t accidental, stating, Many of these sites closely resemble legal operations, obscuring the difference for consumers and highlighting the urgent need for clearer enforcement and better public education. In their analysis, the AGA discovered that 90% of survey respondents do indeed view this activity as a form of gambling. Moreover, 80% of those surveyed spend money on these games monthly, while half do so weekly, with operators not providing adequate safety nets. This insight underscores the pressing need for more oversight and consumer protection.

Tres York, the AGA VP of Government Relations, has raised an alarm about certain operators who disguise themselves as legitimate, regulated platforms, only to function beyond the reach of the law. These platforms often lack responsible gaming tools, have no regulatory oversight, and offer minimal consumer protection. It's a deceitful facade that exposes players to significant risks. York contends that the available data reveals sweepstakes as nothing more than a cover-up for gambling. He is urging lawmakers to unite and take decisive action to ensure laws are enforced, safeguarding consumers from potential harm. In light of these concerns, VGW, a prominent operator of popular sweepstakes brands, recently announced its decision to withdraw its Sweep Coins payment methods from Mississippi and New Jersey.