SPGA releases statement on sweepstakes bill introduced in New Jersey
Originally published by Kirk Geller at Gaming America
Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese introduced the bill that would require sweepstakes casinos to follow the same requirements as iGaming framework.
Key points:
– The SPGA stated it supports Assemblyman Calabrese’s bill and would “advocate” for regulations that authorize transparency and innovation
– The Association is comprised of sweepstakes operators that are said to be committed to protecting players and promote responsible growth
The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has released an official statement in regards to a bill introduced in New Jersey that would regulate sweepstakes casinos in the same fashion as iGaming platforms.
The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese and would require sweepstakes casinos to fall under the same regulation, licensure, oversight and taxation as iGaming framework.
“The SPGA welcomes Assemblyman Calabrese’s bill. The SPGA and its members are advocates for clear regulations that enable transparent, innovative and responsible social and promotional gaming experiences,” the SPGA said.
“The bill aligns with our core objective of reinforcing the well-established legality and legitimacy of social sweepstakes games, which millions of American adults enjoy.”
With sweepstakes casinos showing rapid growth throughout 2024 and since the Covid-19 pandemic, the SPGA was formed in order to show operators’ commitment to “protecting players, promoting responsible innovation and advocating for clear regulations.”
Sweepstakes legalization varies state-by-state, as the offering currently doesn’t exist under the oversight of state gaming commissions. In December 2024, the SPGA implemented a new Code of Conduct, designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos.
“The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment,” SPGA Spokesperson Camilla Wright said at the time of announcement.
“The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos.”
The introduction of a sweepstakes bill in New Jersey also follows recent legal news in North Carolina regarding the use of video sweepstakes machines.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled against a challenge from No Limit Games, declaring that its machines were “comparable to those North Carolina courts have determined to be illegal in previous sweepstakes disputes” in a 2-1 majority decision.