Florida has reportedly joined the growing number of states cracking down on sweepstakes casinos.
Florida Politics reports that Attorney General James Uthmeier has “issued subpoenas” to several fantasy platforms and “sweepstakes-style gaming apps.”
However, in a fresh twist, the publication also reported that Uthmeier’s office plans to meet with leaders from sweeps casinos and others in the first part of 2026 to “exchange information, allow the companies to present their cases and inform them of the strict guidelines by which they must abide to continue doing business in the state.”
Florida’s Seminole Tribe has launched the state-sanctioned sports betting platform, Hard Rock Bet, which has generated millions of dollars of tax revenue for the state. Florida Politics reports that this online sports betting operation is projected to generate $4.4 billion for the state through 2030.
“We stand by the Compact with the Seminole Tribe,” Uthmeier told Florida Politics. “It’s been a huge success, and it’s a great way to ensure that Florida taxpayers are getting the benefit of a significant revenue share to the state, moving through an application and gaming apparatus that is highly regulated, safe and free from illicit activities.”
Sweepsy contacted the Florida Attorney General’s office for comment. We have not received a response.
Other states with recent rounds of cease-and-desists
Uthmeier becomes the latest AG to put sweepstakes casinos on blast.
At the end of December, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced that his office sent cease-and-desist letters to nearly 40 sweepstakes casinos. He also said that the companies “indicated their intent to comply” with the letters and completely shut down.
In April 2025, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) issued a handful of notices, prompting a mass exodus of companies.
In June 2025, Louisiana sent 42 cease-and-desist letters. At the same time, the Mississippi Gaming Commission issued letters to 10 operators, which included nine offshore betting sites and Chumba Casino.
Plus, don’t forget: A handful of bills banning sweepstakes casinos are up for debate in the 2026 legislative session. Speaking of which …
A sign of things to come?
Last month, a Florida lawmaker pre-filed House Bill 591, which would solidify the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive control over the state’s online gaming market and make a series of changes to state gambling law.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Berny Jacques for the 2026 session, classifies “internet gambling” to include any game that “simulates casino-style gaming, including, but not limited to, slot machines, video poker, and table games” — and that’s presumed to cover sweeps casinos.
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, a trade group representing sweepstakes operators, criticized the bill’s broad definition of gambling. The SGLA said that the bill “fails to account for how lawful promotional sweepstakes operate in Florida.”
