BetMGM CEO Believes Sweepstakes Casino Are Illegal

During BetMGM's second quarter financial update, CEO Adam Greenblatt was asked about “the impact of adjacent businesses on the sector," which is another way of saying "sweepstakes casinos."

“Look, we’re pretty clear — or we are clear — that we believe sweeps should be illegal iGaming, and it’s bad for the regulated sector,” Greenblatt said. “It’s bad for state revenues. It’s bad for players. And so, we are delighted to see lots of states now — increasingly, not lots, increasingly — states adopting legislation against the sweeps industry, which, what we would love to see and what we are certainly advocating for is more regulated iGaming states.

“I think BetMGM more than anyone stands to gain relatively the most in the event that it happens. And we fully anticipate, over time, that to happen.”

Greenblatt then urged lawmakers in the United States to legalize online casino play. 

“But the message to our lawmakers is that sweeps activity is happening anyway,” he said. “As I’ve said, the good guys aren’t benefiting. And so, we would like to see that situation unwind and in fact reverse.”

Other Real-Money Casino Execs Have Yet to Speak Out, But Notable Figures Have

With these second-quarter financial calls, there's a chance other CEO's and executives from real-money casino brands could speak out. 

Thus far, nothing else has been said by them, though.

One person who did speak out, though, was Shawn Fluharty. He's a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, but he's also the Head of Governmental Affairs at Play'n GO and the President of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States.

Fluharty debated Jamison Selby, the CEO of Rubystone, a sweepstakes gaming company. This debate happened in May at an SBC Americas conference. 

He made mention of the comparison sweepstakes casinos make to other sweepstakes programs held at places like McDonald's or Hilton. 

“I just think that’s absurd on its face comparing (sweeps casinos) to McDonald’s and hamburgers,” Fluharty said, “and if you’re digging into that deep water, chances are your argument is pretty flawed. They’re stealing profit from states with an illegal market. That’s what they’re doing. They’re the Hamburglar.”

Speaking in favor of sweepstakes, though, was Jeff Duncan. Duncan is a former South Carolina congressman, but is now the executive director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance.

He provided a comment after New York passed its anti-sweepstakes legislation earlier this summer. 

“By blurring the line between lawful sweepstakes promotions and illegal gambling, this legislation threatens a vibrant digital-entertainment sector while offering players no safer alternatives."

Update on Anti-Sweeps Legislation

In 2025, there has been a significant push to eliminate sweepstakes casinos. 

Here's where we stand thus far as July comes to a close:

• Montana: First state to pass legislation banning sweepstakes casinos with SB 555. It goes into effect Oct. 1. 
• Connecticut: Has passed legislation banning sweepstakes casinos. 
• Nevada: Passed SB 256 to allow for stronger enforcement abilities against unlicensed gambling operators, including sweepstakes casinos. 
• Louisiana: Legislation was passed to ban sweepstakes casinos. However, Governor Jeff Landry vetoed the bill. He deemed it unnecessary, as the Attorney General and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board can already go after sweepstakes casinos. The state issued 42 cease-and-desist letters. 
• New York: Legislation passed to ban sweepstakes casinos and it's awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's signature. 
• New Jersey: Passed legislation banning sweepstakes casinos. It's awaiting Governor Phil Murphy's signature. 
• Arkansas: Legislation was introduced, but not passed. 
• Illinois: Legislation was introduced, but not passed. 
• Texas: Legislation was introduced, but not passed. 
• Florida: Legislation was introduced, but not passed. 
• Mississippi/Maryland: Legislation was introduced, but not passed. However, cease-and-desist letters were sent. 
• California: Assembly Bill 831 is currently awaiting a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 18. 
• Ohio: House Bill 298 has been introduced. However, it would ban sweepstakes casinos and legalize real-money online casinos. Governor Mike DeWine isn't thrilled with the idea.