Ruby Sweeps Shuts Down Sweeps Play in Arizona

Ruby Sweeps has sent an email to its players in Arizona notifying them that sweepstakes play would be suspended. 

At the time, it gave a deadline of Sept. 5 for players to either play through or redeem their current Emeralds, which is the platform's equivalent to Sweeps Coins. 

Now, there are 19 states on Ruby Sweeps' excluded states list. 

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New York
• New Jersey
• Ohio
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• West Virginia
• Washington

Recent Arizona Cease-And-Desist Notices 

The Arizona Department of Gaming sent out a series of cease-and-desist notices in August to Thrillzz, Pulsz, Betty Sweeps, and Fliff. All four operators left the state. 

Now, Ruby Sweeps is leaving. There's no public knowledge of the platform also receiving a notice.

Ruby Sweeps, or its owner, Rubystone Ventures LLC, isn't affiliated with those hit with a cease-and-desist order. 

Other Ruby Sweeps Exits

Ruby Sweeps also recently left Louisiana, Mississippi, Maryland, and Nevada. 

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Maryland have sent out several cease-and-desist notices, but again, there's no record or knowledge of Ruby Sweeps receiving one. 

The Nevada exit came after Senate Bill 256 was passed in May. This allowed for more robust laws against unlicensed gambling platforms such as sweepstakes casinos.

It should be noted that Ruby Sweeps is pulling its sweepstakes play only out of these states, following a similar model as Virtual Gaming Worlds (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker) has done recently. 

So, playing with Gold Coins is still allowed and available, but sweepstakes play has been removed.

California Bill Pending

In the wake of this, California could be added to the list. 

California's anti-sweepstakes bill, AB 831, is set to be voted on in the Assembly. 

If it passes, it'll head to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk. If signed into law, California will join New Jersey, Connecticut, and Montana as states with signed legislation. 

New York has passed the law but is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature.