Florida AG Sues Stake and VGW, Alleging Sweepstakes Casinos Are Illegal Gambling

Florida Files Suit Against Two Major Sweepstakes Casino Operators

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed two lawsuits on August 19, 2026, against sweepstakes casino operators Stake and VGW, the parent company of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker, according to Gambling Insider and WEAR TV. The complaints also name several payment processors, including Worldpay, Trustly, Praxis and Breeze Labs, per Gambling Insider.

The lawsuits were filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, according to Gambling Insider and WEAR TV.

What the Complaints Allege

The complaints allege that the platforms operate illegal online gambling businesses disguised as sweepstakes or social casino products, in violation of Florida gambling law and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, according to WEAR TV and CasinoBeats.

Per WEAR TV, the state is seeking permanent injunctions, forfeiture and recovery of consumer losses, disgorgement, restitution, civil penalties and attorneys' fees. SCCG Management reports that the penalties sought could reach up to $15,000 per violation.

SBC Americas provided a full quote from Uthmeier and confirmed that VGW's consumer-facing brands are among the targets of the litigation.

A Selective Target in a Larger Market

CasinoBeats noted that Florida's action selectively targets only two operators despite a broader sweepstakes casino market operating in the state, raising questions about how the state chose its initial targets.

Gambling Insider reported that these lawsuits represent an escalation from subpoenas that Uthmeier's office had already issued to sweepstakes operators earlier in 2026.

Part of a Broader National Trend

ReadWrite situated the Florida lawsuits within a wider pattern of state-level enforcement against sweepstakes casino operators, noting that Montana, West Virginia and Kentucky have also tested legal action against these platforms under existing law.

Neither VGW nor Stake had issued a detailed public response reflected in current reporting at the time of writing. The cases remain in early stages in Hillsborough County Circuit Court, and any resolution, whether through litigation, settlement or dismissal, will likely take months to unfold.

Players in Florida and elsewhere who are concerned about their gambling habits, sweepstakes-related or otherwise, can contact 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET for confidential support. Sweepstakes casino platforms are intended for players 18 and older (21+ in some jurisdictions), with some operators imposing their own additional age requirements.

What This Means for Players

Are sweepstakes casinos still legal to use in Florida right now?

As of this reporting, no court ruling has been issued in these cases, and the platforms named have not been ordered to shut down. The lawsuits allege illegality, but that determination has not yet been made by a court, according to WEAR TV.

Could players get money back if the state wins?

The complaints do seek restitution and recovery of consumer losses, per WEAR TV, but any such outcome would depend on the litigation's result, which could take months or longer to resolve, as the cases remain in early stages in Hillsborough County Circuit Court.

Will other sweepstakes operators in Florida face similar lawsuits?

CasinoBeats pointed out that Florida's current legal action targets only Stake and VGW despite other sweepstakes operators being active in the state, so it is unclear whether additional lawsuits are being planned. ReadWrite's reporting suggests this could be part of a broader multi-state enforcement pattern, but any expansion to other Florida operators would be speculative at this point.

What should concerned players do while these cases are pending?

Players uneasy about their sweepstakes casino activity or gambling habits generally can reach out to 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET for confidential assistance. These lawsuits do not change existing consumer protections, and players should stay informed as reporting on the case develops.