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
Well-Known Sweeps Casino Abruptly Shuts Down, Another Plans To
The Money Factory and CoinFrenzy are shutting down, raising questions about player balances, assets, and whether new platforms are coming.
Aug 10, 2026 - News
Virginia May Consider Bill Ordering Study On Sweeps Casinos In 2027
Virginia’s SB 579 could return in 2027 with a first-of-its-kind study of sweeps gaming, potentially giving the industry a new path forward.
Aug 9, 2026 - News
Maine Regulator Warns Residents About Sweeps Casinos With New Law In Place
Maine’s gaming regulator warns residents against illegal Sweeps Coin play as the state’s new law targeting sweepstakes casinos takes effect.
Aug 8, 2026 - News
Dual-Currency Sweeps Casinos Will Be Illegal In Louisiana On Aug. 1
Louisiana's sweeps casino ban takes effect Aug. 1, with new laws exposing operators and partners to racketeering charges as well.
Jul 30, 2026 - News
Oklahoma Sweeps Ban Not Active Until Nov. 1, But Impact Is Still Felt
Although it's not law yet, Oklahoma’s sweeps ban shows a trend: Tribal gaming interests may be the toughest opponent for sweeps casinos.
Jul 29, 2026 - News
VGW Shutting Down LuckyLand Slots To 'Shift Our Focus' To Other Brands
VGW has informed Sweepsy that LuckyLand Slots is closing after eight years as the company shifts focus to its lineup of other gaming brands.
Jul 28, 2026 - News
Is Kentucky's VGW Lawsuit A Cease-And-Desist With More Teeth?
Kentucky sued VGW instead of issuing a cease-and-desist. Could lawsuits become the next major enforcement tool against sweeps casinos?
Jul 27, 2026 - News
How Gaming Executive's X Post Revealed Potential Future For Sweeps Operators
Prediction markets may eventually offer sweepstakes operators a path to all 50 states. Alex Ursa's demo shows how.
Jul 26, 2026 - News
Reasons To Believe Gold Treasure Casino May Return In Different Form
Gold Treasure Casino hints at a return as its owner appears to be planning the platform's next chapter, possibly under a new gaming model.
Jul 14, 2026 - News
Breaking Down 9 Dual-Currency Alternatives Offered By Sweeps Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos face a turning point. Explore nine emerging gaming models operators are using beyond dual-currency play.
Jul 14, 2026 - News
VGW Has Expanded Its Library Beyond Sweeps And Social Casinos
VGW is diversifying beyond sweepstakes casinos with Monopoly Match, a free-to-play mobile puzzle game powered by in-app purchases.
Jul 13, 2026 - News
Social Gaming Leadership Alliance Changes Its Leadership Structure
The SGLA elevates Sean Ostrow to Executive Director and expands its board as sweepstakes casinos emerge from a pivotal 2026 legislative year.
Jul 10, 2026 - News
How Increased Focus On Prediction Markets May Help Or Hurt Sweeps Casinos
Google data shows prediction markets crush sweeps casinos in terms of interest, but Josh Kirschner says operators shouldn’t get comfortable.
Jul 8, 2026 - News
McLuck, Hello Millions Fully Shutting Down In Tennessee On July 13
Tennessee players will lose access to McLuck, Hello Millions, PlayFame, and SpinBlitz as the sites fully exit the state July 13.
Jul 7, 2026 - News
Sidepot Casino, Fliff's Sister Site, Shuts Down Operations In Iowa
Another major sweepstakes casino leaves Iowa despite no ban, raising questions about behind-the-scenes regulatory pressure.
Jun 30, 2026 - News
Major Operators Continue To Exit Indiana, Where Sweeps Casinos Become Illegal July 1
More sweepstakes casino operators are leaving Indiana ahead of the July 1 sweeps gaming ban, with Blazesoft, Utech, and MyPrize among them.
Jun 30, 2026 - News
How Will 2026 Affect Sweeps Casino Industry? Gaming Attorney Goes In-Depth
Is 2026 the year sweepstakes casinos began to decline — or the year the industry reinvented itself? Gaming attorney Josh Kirschner weighs in.
Jun 26, 2026 - News
After Shuttering Sweeps Casino, Kickr Pivots To Sweeps Skill Games With GetGud
Kickr's successor, GetGud, combines dual-currency gaming with skill-based contests, potentially offering a regulatory workaround.
Jun 23, 2026 - News
Some Sweeps Operators Showing Abundance Of Caution In Iowa
Iowa hasn't banned sweepstakes casinos, yet several operators are leaving. New enforcement powers help explain why, but the timing is odd.
Jun 22, 2026 - News
Tracking Legislative Wins For Anti-Sweeps, Pro-Sweeps Coalitions In 2026
A look at the 2026 sweepstakes casino legislative battle: 5 states passed bans, 5 failed, and one bill remains pending.
Jun 8, 2026