Arkansas faces response from SPGA over proposed sweepstakes ban
The haters are at it again, this time targeting the Social and Promotical Games Association (SPGA) in Arkansas. The SPGA has thrown its mitts up in defiance, sending out a fiery email, opposing HB 1861 and SB524.
These bills, if passed, would be a total bust for businesses and innovation, smothering competition like a wet blanket. What's more, they'd strip consumers of their freedom to choose their preferred gaming platform. But why the animosity towards sweepstakes casinos? The SPGA calls it "reckless" and points the finger at "entrenched casino interests."
The sweepstakes industry has been putting the smackdown on these accusations. Detractors claim sweepstakes platforms use a sneaky dual-currency system to offer unregulated gaming. But the industry insists it's all on the up-and-up, labeling the operation as nothing more than a harmless entertainment option for millions of adults. And let's face it, most users don't even drop a dime.
The SPGA isn't backing down, either. It's battled this nonsense before and has the battle scars to prove it, with victories against similar moves in New York, New Jersey, Mississippi, and Maryland. Plus, they've been dancing in the regulatory shadows without a hitch, fully complying with all existing laws.
The SPGA's statement pulled no punches: "These bills go too far. Social sweepstakes are not casinos. They offer free-to-play entertainment to millions of adults, with most users never spending money... Treating them as a public harm is misguided and unsupported by data."
The SPGA's not alone in its fight. They've got backup from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, who've quashed another argument against the industry – that sweepstakes social casinos cannibalize on traditional real-money casinos. In Michigan, the evidence points to the opposite – sweepstakes could have even helped boost the iGaming industry. Hang tight, 'cause the SPGA's not giving up without a fight.
Image source: Unsplash.com
Extra Knowledge:
- Sweepstakes casinos operate under a dual-currency system, using Gold Coins for play and Stake Cash for prize redemption. This setup lets them avoid traditional gambling regulations.
- HB 1861 proposed criminalizing the operation of sweepstakes casinos as a Class D felony and legalizing online gaming in the state, but it did not proceed due to its broad scope and political opposition.
- The SPGA's opposition to these bills would likely be based on preserving the current legal framework that allows sweepstakes casinos to operate, ensuring platforms remain available to consumers without undue restrictions.
- The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) in Arkansas is actively fighting against HB 1861 and SB524, bills that aim to prohibit sweepstakes casinos, believing these measures would be detrimental to businesses and innovation.
- The SPGA argues that these bills, if passed, would unfairly limit consumer freedom to choose their preferred gaming platform, as sweepstakes casinos offer a harmless entertainment option for millions of adults.
- The SPGA contends that the animosity towards sweepstakes casinos stems from entrenched casino interests, who falsely accuse sweepstakes platforms of using a sneaky dual-currency system to offer unregulated gaming.
- The gaming industry analyst Eilers & Krejcik Gaming supports the SPGA, disputing claims that sweepstakes social casinos cannibalize on traditional real-money casinos, with evidence in Michigan indicating that sweepstakes could have actually boosted the iGaming industry.
- In the past, the SPGA has successfully fought similar moves in New York, New Jersey, Mississippi, and Maryland, demonstrating their determination to preserve the current legal framework that allows sweepstakes casinos to operate without unnecessary restrictions.
