Sweepstakes Casino Betty Sweeps Has Paused All Purchases in Two States

Following Relax Gaming's withdrawal of its games from Utah and Minnesota, Betty Sweeps has informed its players in those states that Gold Coin package purchases are blocked as of Dec. 1.

Players were notified via an email that read: 

"As of today, purchases on Betty Sweeps have been paused, as Relax Gaming is no longer available in your state.

"But don’t worry — this is only temporary. We’re bringing in new providers and fresh games soon, and we’ll let you know the moment they’re live. Exciting things are loading… and we can’t wait for you to hit “play” again!

"Thanks so much for your patience and for being part of the Betty Sweeps family. The fun will be back before you know it!"

Betty Sweeps is restricted in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and West Virginia.

Issues in Minnesota

While Minnesota doesn't have any laws on the books banning sweepstakes casinos, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison announced on Nov. 5 that his office sent cease-and-desist letters to 14 operators, including Fortune Coins, Zula Casino, and more. 

The letter insisted that those brands stop all activity in the state by Dec. 1, but Minnesota isn't listed on their restricted lists as of this past weekend. 

Ellison also sent cease-and-desist letters to nearly a dozen offshore operators. 

Jeff Duncan, the Executive Director of the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, released a statement following the cease-and-desist notices, saying the following: 

“The millions of players who have enjoyed Social Plus games for more than a decade deserve a safe, regulated environment, which is why we are working with Minnesota legislators to promote enhanced regulatory standards for the industry and potential revenue opportunities for the state,” said Duncan. “We look forward to continuing this engagement, while also correcting any misinformation and confusion about our industry of Social Plus games.

“SGLA stands ready to work with Minnesota officials to bring in new tax revenue and create a higher level of consumer protection to ensure safe participation for the hundreds of thousands of Minnesota adults who play Social Plus games for fun and entertainment.” 

Issues in Utah

Utah is an interesting state because, in addition to having no laws on the books, there's been no public knowledge of any cease-and-desist notices. 

However, Utah has a complete ban on every form of gambling, including online casinos, lotteries, sports betting, and even raffles. 

So, if there's anything that's even somewhat related to gambling, Utah likely doesn't endorse it. Thus, given the state of the sweepstakes industry and Utah's strong opposition to any form of gambling, it's not surprising that Relax Gaming pulled out of there. 

Other Vendors Leaving

In addition to Relax Gaming, Playson, Print Studios, Hacksaw Gaming, and Nolimit City have pulled out of Minnesota. 

Relax Gaming and Print Studios also pulled out of Arizona, as the Arizona Department of Gaming has sent out its fair share of cease-and-desist notices.