Play’n GO says no to supplying games to Sweepstakes casinos due to regulatory concerns. What about other game providers?
When it comes to gaming entertainment, there are many forms available today, including Sweepstakes casinos and social games. Sweepstakes and social casinos are growing in popularity, and while many have boarded the hype train, there are software providers like Play’n GO who have put their foot down .
The leading software provider has firmly declared that it will never be a provider of Sweepstakes games.
Play’n GO takes a stand
Play’n GO recently took a strong stance against Sweepstakes casinos , citing regulatory and responsible gaming concerns.
CEO Johan Törnqvist shared that these platforms operate outside of the regulated framework . The game provider is not just a leader in terms of quality games but also a big advocate for the strict regulation of the gaming industry. It sticks to its beliefs that unregulated markets are a great risk for players and the industry’s integrity .
Head of Government Affairs at Play’n GO, Shawn Fluharty , added that Sweepstakes casinos are a threat to the regulated gaming market model . The latter doesn’t just generate revenue for regulated jurisdictions but also provides players with a higher level of protection.
According to Fluharty, companies that engage in such form of gambling today may find themselves struggling to operate in any future regulated markets , especially considering that a lot of regulators have started cracking down on these platforms.
One of the main driving factors behind Play’n GO’s decision is its commitment to responsible gaming and ethical practices. This comes as no surprise, considering the provider has also turned down the idea of producing bonus-buy games, which were eventually banned in the UK and the Netherlands.
Mixed feelings about Sweepstakes
Evidently, Play’n GO's portfolio won't include such titles. However, in the matter of opposing Sweepstakes casinos, it seems Play’n GO is not the only operator to choose to distance itself . What's the opinion of other industry players?
Light & Wonder (ex SG Digital) has also criticised the medium , but the company has still left the door open for future collaborations should there be any regulatory change.
Other big names in the industry, like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play , have opted for a more neutral stance . They have chosen to supply games to Sweepstakes and traditional gaming platforms alike.
And then there are platforms like Rubystone that specialise in supplying games to social casinos . This game provider has chosen to defend Sweepstakes casinos, stating that it does not violate state laws and also that it caters to a different group and not the players who enjoy real-money casino games.
To help you better understand why some providers aren't that welcoming to the new gaming craze, it might be useful to know more about the differences between Sweepstakes and traditional casinos . The main one is that the latter involves direct gambling with real money , while the former uses virtual currencies .
A complex future or regulatory relief?
At the current time, we’re seeing a lot of regulatory bodies working to stop Sweepstakes casinos . Operators like Stake.us, Chumba Casino, and Luckyland Slots keep their Sweepstakes sites going despite the range of legal challenges they may face.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has also recently called for greater oversight of these platforms as the lack of regulation stands to harm players. Some states have started acting, while others, like New Jersey and Hawaii, are exploring ways to add Sweepstakes gaming to their current regulatory framework.
At the end of the day, this is a new idea, and it’s either going to settle in and become part of the regulated sectors or it’s going to be banned and dismissed. But first, a thorough investigation should be carried out into the benefits and disadvantages of Sweepstakes casinos and whether they’re more harmful than good.