WASHINGTON DC – The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), a coalition of industry leaders advocating for the online social games industry, regrets the passage of legislation in the Louisiana State House that will deprive the state’s residents of popular, free-to-play entertainment enjoyed by millions nationwide.
SGLA Executive Director and former Congressman Jeff Duncan said: “Louisiana residents will be abruptly cut off from popular, free-to-play online games enjoyed by millions nationwide after lawmakers fell for a campaign of deliberate misinformation from parties with clear vested interests that was designed to eliminate legitimate competition. This legislation was rushed through the legislature without providing the industry any meaningful opportunity to engage, while competitors and critics were given ample voice in a concerted effort that prevented a commonsense solution.”
“It’s unfortunate that this legislation was hastily passed based on incomplete information because the result is that residents lose access to safe, fair and free-to-play entertainment enjoyed by millions of Americans while black market operators laugh all the way to the bank.”
Setting the Record Straight
Age Verification: SGLA partners prohibit minors from accessing their platforms using robust customer age, identity and geolocation technology requirements and processes to prevent access to games and platforms by minors. Claims that “there are no prohibitions against minors playing these games” are categorically false.
Consumer Protections: SGLA partners implement leading anti-money laundering (AML), financial crime prevention, security protocols, and data protection measures. Players have access to responsible gaming tools including purchase limits, self-exclusion options, and one-click access to responsible gaming resources. Claims that our operators “evade consumer protections, responsible gaming and anti-money laundering requirements” are categorically false.
Player Support: Our operators follow the same payment security and refund protocols as major retailers. Claims that players report “never getting their money back” are categorically false.
Legal Operations: Online social games operate under established sweepstakes law used by countless mainstream brands. These games are legitimate entertainment with mandatory free participation options. Claims that social online gaming is “illegal gambling” are categorically false.
“The SGLA is supportive of appropriate oversight and common-sense regulatory frameworks but SB 181 is an attack on economic activity, freedom of choice, innovation and competition,” Mr. Duncan continued. “We look forward to engaging with policymakers in Louisiana to right this wrong so that its residents can enjoy the same free-to-play entertainment as other Americans as well as the economic benefits the industry can provide.”
Contact:
Laurie Rossbach
Partner, Seven Letter
202.258.7810
Laurie@SevenLetter.com
About the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) champions social gaming operators who offer innovative, free-to-play entertainment experiences enjoyed by millions of Americans while promoting responsible digital entertainment. Our partners set the standard for innovation, world class games and the responsible use of digital marketing including sweepstakes promotions. We advocate for appropriate oversight that recognizes the unique entertainment value of social online games, protects players, platforms and the community, and promotes responsible gameplay.
The SGLA’s operator partners are VGW, PLAYSTUDIOS, Yellow Social Interactive, ARB Interactive and B-Two Operations, representing Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, Global Poker, Pulsz, Pulsz Bingo, Modo Casino, McLuck, HelloMillions and SpinBlitz. Other partners include major payments provider Nuvei. The SGLA’s advocacy and standards focus exclusively on online social games. Our advocacy does not extend to operators offering sports products or transacting in cryptocurrency.
To learn more about SGLA, please visit our website at www.SGLeadership.org and our social channels at LinkedIn, X, Facebook and BlueSky.
