ClubWPT Moves Away From Dual-Currency Sweepstakes Model

Richard Janvrin
By: Richard Janvrin
Legal
ClubWPT Moves Away From Dual-Currency Sweepstakes Model

Photo by PICRYL, PDM 1.0

Key Takeaways

  • ClubWPT shifts from dual-currency sweepstakes model to a software-based credit system
  • New “hand analysis” software aims to bypass mounting anti-sweepstakes legislation in multiple states
  • Response to the system has been mixed online

In response to several states in the United States clamping down on the dual-currency model of sweepstakes casinos, ClubWPT is attempting to innovate and circumvent that. 

Instead of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, they'll turn to players buying credits for a "hand analysis software" as opposed to Gold Coins. The new substitute for Sweeps Coins is "Chips."
 

More About the Software and Overall System 

With this software, it'll analyze a player's hand and give feedback. So, instead of earning Gold Coins, players will purchase a product, and Chips are still redeemable for real cash prizes. ClubWPT now refers to itself as a “cutting-edge poker training and playing site,” rather than a sweepstakes site. 

It's unclear, though, whether this will completely circumvent the anti-sweepstakes legislation that has been signed into law in Montana, Connecticut, and New Jersey, as well as in two other states, California and New York, which have bills pending on their respective Governors' desks. 

ClubWPT CEO Has Been Against Anti-Sweepstakes Legislation

As expected, ClubWPT CEO Adam Pliska has been opposed to anti-sweepstakes legislation, but more so than that, he has been one of the more outspoken advocates. He has appeared at numerous in-person discussions, including at the New Jersey legislature. 

“We’ve operated a sweepstakes product for over 15 years, and so I just want to make myself available to the committee, if anybody would like to continue to explore this idea that there is more revenue to be found," he said. 

As for his new model, it'll be intriguing to see how it interacts with the wording of the new laws. 

As for consumer response, it has been quite mixed on platforms like the r/poker Subreddit. 

Some players have expressed enthusiasm for using the tool, while others remain skeptical about its long-term effectiveness. 

Others mentioned the lost currency, which had gone from 130 million Gold Coins to 10 Hand Analysis coins. 

So, in addition to verifying that it works out legally, we'll also need to see how it performs in the player base. 

Richard Janvrin is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He started writing as a teenager before breaking into sports coverage professionally in 2015. From there, he entered the iGaming space in 2018 and has covered numerous aspects, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, legal, and more.

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Richard Janvrin

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