Matthew Bain
Matthew Bain has covered the legal gambling landscape in the US since 2022, both as a content director at Catena Media and now as a freelancer for Comped and Sweepsy. Before that, he spent six years as a sports reporter and editor for the USA TODAY Network, primarily at the Des Moines Register. Through his various roles, Matthew has racked up experience in the casino, sports betting, and lottery markets.
Articles by Matthew Bain
- News
WOW Vegas Ends Sweeps Coin Gameplay In Iowa
WOW Vegas has ended Sweeps Coin gameplay in Iowa, leaving players with WOW Coins only. Rolla Casino has also restricted Sweeps Coin play in the state.
Oct 27, 2026 - News
McLuck, B-Two Operations Sites To Exit Oklahoma On Nov. 1
McLuck and other B-Two Operations sites update their terms to inform players they will stop operating in Oklahoma on Nov. 1.
Oct 26, 2026 - News
AceBet’s Updated Terms Drop California, New York From Excluded States
AceBet’s updated terms remove California and New York from its excluded states as the site uses trading cards, surveys and app offers to award Sweeps Coins.
Oct 25, 2026 - News
GiddyUp Set To End Operations Soon, But Unclear If Temporary Or Permanent
GiddyUp will stop credit purchases Oct. 15 and disable games Oct. 19. The company calls it a temporary wind-down but has not confirmed a return date.
Oct 14, 2026 - News
Coin Wizard Games, Golden Hearts Sister Site, To Permanently Shut Down On Oct. 28
Coin Wizard Games will end Sweeps Coin gameplay Oct. 21 before closing its website Oct. 28. Golden Hearts Games will remain open.
Oct 14, 2026 - News
Baba Casino, ACE Casino Exit Oklahoma Ahead of Nov. 1 Sweeps Ban
Baba Casino will end Sweeps Coin play and redemptions Oct. 21, while ACE Casino has already left Oklahoma entirely. Other operators are setting their own exit dates before the state’s Nov. 1 ban.
Oct 14, 2026 - News
Indiana Sen. Ron Alting Halts Re-Election Campaign Ahead of Nov. 3 Vote
Alting, who backed regulating sweepstakes casinos rather than banning them, remains on the ballot while undergoing medical evaluation and treatment.
Oct 14, 2026 - News
Wyoming Committee Sponsors Sweeps Casino Ban Bill for 2027 Session
Wyoming’s proposed bill would target single-currency and dual-currency sweepstakes gaming, as well as third-party services, when the legislature convenes in January 2027.
Oct 13, 2026 - News
Modo.us Replaces Box Tickets With Cash for Modo Boxes in Oct. 2 Update
Modo Boxes players can now pay directly from a Cash Wallet, though converted Box Tickets require a 1x purchase-through before withdrawal.
Oct 11, 2026 - News
House Bill 2801 Filed in Pennsylvania for Start of 2027 Legislation Session
Pennsylvania’s HB2801 would ban online sweepstakes games, impose fines of up to $500,000 and expand enforcement authority ahead of the 2027 session.
Oct 10, 2026 - News
VGW Has Donated $70,000 To Arizona Political Organizations In 2026
VGW has funneled $70,000 into three Arizona Republican groups as regulators target sweeps casinos in the state. We example that political spending and what it may mean.
Sep 23, 2026 - News
Tracking VGW’s Political Donations In Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee
VGW is putting money into politics in states targeting sweepstakes casinos. Here’s where the company donated in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee — and the gaming ties behind some recipients.
Sep 15, 2026 - News
VGW Reaches Settlement With New York, Agrees To Pay $8 Million
VGW will pay New York $8 million and allow eligible Sweeps Coin redemptions through August 2027 under a settlement with the state.
Sep 9, 2026 - News
Will We See More Attorney General Lawsuits Against Sweeps Casinos? One Stakeholder Thinks It’s ‘Likely’
Light & Wonder’s F. Steven DiMasi sees more sweeps lawsuits coming. With Kentucky and Florida already suing operators, could other states be next to take them to court?
Aug 25, 2026 - News
Florida, Kentucky Take Aim At VGW. Here’s How Their Lawsuits Differ
VGW is facing lawsuits in Florida and Kentucky over its sweepstakes model. The states agree on plenty — but their cases differ in key ways.
Aug 22, 2026 - News
Florida Attorney General Sues VGW And Stake, Following Kentucky’s Lead
Florida sues VGW and Stake over alleged illegal gambling, signaling a tougher new enforcement strategy against sweepstakes casinos.
Aug 19, 2026 - News
Popular Games Provider Pulls Its Titles From Sweeps Casinos In Iowa
Popular games vendor 3 Oaks Gaming has pulled its titles from Iowa sweepstakes casinos, a move that may signal an abundance of caution.
Aug 14, 2026 - News
Fill Out Surveys For Free Sweeps Coins? The Newest Operator Pivot
At least one sweeps operator is offering free Sweeps Coins through surveys and app-based offers — a new alternative to dual-currency gaming.
Aug 13, 2026 - News
Some Operators Now Tying Sweeps Coins To Physical Product Purchases
Could selling physical products keep Sweeps Coins alive? A new model tests whether product sales can sidestep sweeps casino bans.
Aug 12, 2026 - News
RealPrize, LoneStar Ending Sweeps Coin Gameplay In Delaware
RealPrize and LoneStar are ending Sweeps Coin gameplay in Delaware, with players facing key August and September deadlines.
Aug 11, 2026