Derek Helling
Legal Markets Analyst
Derek Helling is a journalist who has covered the gaming industry for many publications since 2018. His coverage emphasizes the intersections of gambling with the business of entertainment, the evolution of the legal landscape, technology’s shaping of gaming, and the impact of gambling on society. When he isn’t working on his next story, he enjoys traveling with his wife and spoiling their pair of Munchkin cats.
Articles by Derek Helling
- News
Proposed Settlement Of Amazon Social Casino Lawsuit Could Make Settlements In Similar Litigation More Likely
Proposed Amazon social casino lawsuit settlement may lead to similar deals with Apple, Google, Meta while shifting liability to app developers.
Jul 14, 2026 - News
Tennessee Bill Heads To Governor With Sweepstakes Casino Ban Language Intact
SB2136 has cleared a conference committee and both chambers of the Tennessee legislature, including language that bans sweepstakes casinos.
Apr 28, 2026 - News
Why Federal Protections For Prediction Markets Are Stronger Than Sweepstakes Casinos
Here's why sweeps casinos lack federal preemption claims while prediction markets lean on CFTC oversight to challenge state enforcement.
Apr 23, 2026 - News
Tennessee House Strips Sweeps From Gambling Bill, But Senate Rejects Changes
Senate rejects House rewrite of SB2136, sending bill to conference and prolonging uncertainty around sweepstakes casinos.
Apr 23, 2026 - News
Indiana Governor Signs Sweepstakes Bill
HB 1052 takes effect July 1, 2026, and makes operating casino-style online games played with a dual currency system illegal in Indiana The days are officially numbered for any sweepstakes casino sites still accepting paid entries from people in Indiana. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed HB 1052,...
Mar 31, 2026 - News
Minnesota Senate Sweeps Ban Clears Initial Committee, Scheduled For Its Next
Minnesota Senate panel advances SF4474 to ban dual-currency sweeps casinos, sending the bill to another committee ahead of a key deadline.
Mar 25, 2026 - News
Massachusetts Bill Would Legalize iGaming, Ban Sweeps Casinos
New legislation that aims to regulate online casino play in Massachusetts would also restrict the operation of online sweepstakes games.
Aug 20, 2025 - News
California Lawsuit Against High 5 Casino Survives First Challenge
A court has allowed a California resident’s complaint against High 5 Casino to go forward, threatening the website’s operation in the state.
Aug 18, 2025 - News
VGW Forms Partnership With California Tribe As Lawmakers Consider Sweeps Ban
VGW has announced a social gaming partnership with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation for sweepstakes promotions and social gaming.
Aug 18, 2025 - News
Expert: Adding 'Knowingly' To CA Sweeps Ban Bill Targets 'Deliberate Ignorance' & 'Willful Blindness'
AB831’s “knowingly” tweak may seem like higher protection but a legal expert says willful blindness can still count as knowledge.
Aug 14, 2025 - News
PLAYSTUDIOS Sweeps Platform Coming To 'Full Footprint Of Qualified US States Later This Year'
The CEO of PLAYSTUDIOS addressed questions about the regulatory landscape of online sweepstakes games during the company’s earnings call.
Aug 11, 2025 - News
AGA VP Cites Rebuttal of Sweepstakes Casino Site Operators’ Arguments as Primary Reason Behind New Polling
American Gaming Association VP Tres York detailed a survey on sweepstakes casinos with the hosts of “The New Normal” webcast on Wednesday
Aug 6, 2025 - News
Illinois Resident Wants To Bring Class-Action Lawsuit Against WOW Vegas For Alleged Violations Of State’s Gambling Laws
A new potential class-action lawsuit against WOW Vegas operator MW Services seeks court order to force abandonment of sweepstakes games.
Jul 25, 2025 - News
Stake.us Pulls the Plug in Arizona: Game Access Ends Aug. 12
Stake.us has added Arizona to the list of states where people cannot access its casino-style, sweepstakes-based games
Jul 17, 2025 - News
SGLA Cites ‘Misleading Claims’ In Statement About California AB 831 Hearing
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance has refuted claims about sweepstakes casinos made by California AB 831 supporters during a hearing.
Jul 16, 2025 - News
New Gambling Ad Rules Could Change Facebook, Instagram Users’ Experience In Certain US Jurisdictions
Meta’s new advertising approval requirements, which apply to sweepstakes casino operators, require companies to prove they operate legally.
Jul 13, 2025 - News
VGW Updates Terms With New Limitations on Access to Casino Games in Louisiana
VGW shared that players in Louisiana on Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland will lose access to promotional games on July 17
Jul 11, 2025 - News
SPGA Criticizes California AB 831 as Overly Broad in Letter to Sponsor
The Social and Promotional Games Association has shared its stance on California AB 831 with the bill’s new sponsor, encouraging him to oppose
Jul 8, 2025 - News
Louisiana Attorney General’s Opinion Supports Regulatory Actions Against Sweepstakes Games
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued an opinion on sweepstakes casino games, calling them illegal gambling and promising action.
Jul 4, 2025 - News
Following Consumer Notice, High 5 Casino Updates Terms With New Arizona Exclusion
High 5 Games told players that it will no longer offer its social casino games in Arizona following a consumer notice from gaming regulators.
Jul 3, 2025