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
California Legislature Passes Sweeps Casinos Ban, Sends Bill To Gov. Newsom For Signature
Tribes and social casinos win big as California passes AB831, a sweeping ban on dual-currency sweeps gaming set to reshape the market.
Sep 12, 2025 - News
11 Vendors Have Blocked Their Games On Stake.us In California
California players at Stake.us have lost access to games from 11 vendors as legal action sparks industry withdrawals.
Sep 12, 2025 - News
Ruby Sweeps Restricts Access For Players In Arizona
Ruby Sweeps exits Arizona despite no cease-and-desist, expanding its excluded states list to 19 amid rising regulatory and legal crackdowns.
Sep 11, 2025 - News
Playtech Pulls Its Games From All Sweepstakes Casinos In California
It's not just an exit from VGW sites. Playtech tells Sweepsy it's removing games from all sweeps casinos in California "at this time."
Sep 5, 2025 - News
Skywind Games 'Will No Longer Be Available' At WOW Vegas
Skywind pulls its slots from WOW Vegas as another U.S. vendor reacts to the California lawsuit pressuring the sweepstakes casino industry.
Sep 4, 2025 - News
Chumba Casino Blocks California Access To Playtech Games
California’s sweeps lawsuit shakes the industry: Chumba drops Playtech titles as state targets Stake.us and major vendors in landmark case.
Sep 3, 2025 - News
Investing Expert: Social Casinos Acknowledging Sweeps Competition Is 'Very Strategic PR Choice'
An investing pro who’s covered social casinos up close breaks down how operators are reacting to the rise of sweepstakes casinos.
Sep 2, 2025 - News
Major California Cardroom Cities Formally Oppose Sweeps Ban Bill
The cities of Gardena, Inglewood, and Colma, plus an organization representing Bell, are officially against Assembly Bill 831.
Sep 1, 2025 - News
California's Sweeps Ban Bill Advances To The Final Senate Stage
California’s sweeps casino ban bill clears suspense hearing, advances to Senate vote. Up next would be two hurdles to clear in the Assembly.
Aug 29, 2025 - News
Funzpoints Adds Connecticut, Maryland To Excluded States
Funzpoints adds Connecticut and Maryland to its excluded states, blocking access due to a new law and a cease-and-desist letter.
Aug 29, 2025 - News
Tribal Income May Cause Conflict Of Interest For Lawmaker Key To Fate Of CA Sweeps Ban
AB831’s fate could depend in part on a lawmaker with financial ties to the bill’s tribal sponsor, raising conflict of interest questions.
Aug 28, 2025 - News
Ahead Of Pivotal Hearing, Chumba Casino Again Calls On CA Players To Oppose AB831
“Save The Games You Love!” Chumba Casino pushes California players to fight AB831 ahead of its pivotal committee hearing on Aug. 29.
Aug 27, 2025 - News
Report: California Accounts For Nearly 20% Of U.S. Sweepstakes Gaming Market
Eilers & Krejcik projects California will generate $2.42 billion in 2025 sweeps casino sales, accounting for 17.3% of the U.S. market.
Aug 26, 2025 - News
Pulsz Informs Players Of Arizona Exit Following Cease-And-Desist
Pulsz Casino begins phased exit from Arizona after a cease-and-desist, joining other sweepstakes operators forced out by regulators.
Aug 25, 2025 - News
Chumba Casino, Global Poker Leaving Canada To Focus On 'Larger US Market'
VGW tells Sweepsy it's leaving the "relatively small" Canada market to focus on its "larger US market" in a "strategic, isolated decision."
Aug 22, 2025 - News
Report: Regulating CA Sweeps Casinos Could Generate More Than $300M In Tax Revenue
Independent report says a regulated sweeps casino market could bring CA more than $300M yearly in taxes, plus $1B in economic benefits.
Aug 21, 2025 - News
Thrillzz Acts Quickly, Already Out Of Arizona Following Cease-And-Desist
Thrillzz swiftly exits Arizona after receiving a cease-and-desist, as the state regulator continues to crack down on sweepstakes operators.
Aug 20, 2025 - News
California DOJ, Courts Could Face 'Potentially Significant' Costs If Sweeps Ban Passes
California bill AB831 would ban online sweepstakes casinos but could also create major DOJ, court, and county costs, an analysis warns.
Aug 20, 2025 - News
NJ Gov. Signs Sweeps Ban Bill — Effectively Immediately — Into Law
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs AB5447, making sweepstakes casinos illegal immediately as operators exit and critics decry overreach.
Aug 15, 2025 - News
Expert: 2 'Obvious Reasons' Backers Used 'Gut-And-Amend' To Push CA Sweeps Ban Bill
Industry expert says "there are some pretty obvious reasons" why sweeps opponents used "gut-and-amend" to fast-track the CA sweeps ban bill.
Aug 15, 2025