Play’n GO’s CEO, Johan Törnqvist, has vowed to never supply the sweepstakes casino industry as legislative scrutiny over the vertical intensifies.
In an update issued by the gaming content provider, Törnqvist said that the company will not support sweepstakes casinos, given they do not operate “inside a regulated framework”.
Shawn Fluharty, Head of Government Affairs for Play’n Go, emphasised that the vertical threatens the regulated market model, something that “the industry has worked so hard to achieve”.
“Regulators across the US, in particular, are rightfully beginning to crack down on these unregulated operations. And I can say with confidence that regulators have long memories – anyone doing business with sweepstakes casinos today will find it very difficult to do business in a future regulated market,” warned Fluharty.
Lawmakers across the US have used this legislative season to take aim at the sweepstakes casino sector – which Eilers and Krejcik Gaming values at $5.6bn.
Currently, Montana is the closest state to banning sweepstakes casinos as Senate Bill 555 has been approved by the Senate and House, and can now only be blocked by a last-minute veto from Governor Greg Gianforte.
The bill seeks to further specify the definition of illegal online gaming and explicitly includes online casinos.
The updated language takes aim at social sweepstakes casinos by specifying that platforms fall under the guise of internet gambling if they allow consumers to place a bet or wager “using any form of currency, and make payouts of any form of currency”.
Meanwhile, bills in the major states of New Jersey and New York have also progressed. In both states, respective Assemblies advanced bills that target the currency systems used by sweepstakes casinos.
“We want to see a fully regulated and sustainable industry that protects players, promotes innovation, and ensures that we actually have an industry in the future,” concluded Magnus Olsson, Play’n Go’s Chief Commercial Officer.
