WASHINGTON, DC – The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) respectfully disagrees with the characterization of our partners’ lawful online social gaming operations which use sweepstakes promotions in recent enforcement actions by Mississippi and Louisiana gaming authorities. These actions underscore the urgent need for fact-based dialogue about online social games and appropriate regulatory frameworks that protect consumers and preserve their freedom to play the games they enjoy.
SGLA Executive Director and former Congressman Jeff Duncan said: “We fundamentally disagree with claims made by the Louisiana and Mississippi gaming authorities. Our partners operate under established sweepstakes promotional frameworks that are distinct from gambling and have been used across countless industries for decades. These are legitimate entertainment platforms with mandatory free participation options that have been enjoyed by millions of Americans for many years.”
Setting the Record Straight
Online social games employing sweepstakes promotions operate under the same marketing laws used across industries to promote the sale of all sorts of products from hamburgers to coffee to electronics and even political donations. SGLA platforms maintain clear legal distinctions by ensuring participation is always free through Alternative Methods of Entry (AMOE), including daily rewards and mail-in options, eliminating any element of consideration.
Consumer Protection Standards
Contrary to suggestions that players lack protections, SGLA partners maintain comprehensive consumer safeguards including:
- Strict age verification using robust identity and geolocation technology and processes to prevent access to games and platforms by minors.
- Comprehensive security protocols including anti-money laundering (AML) procedures and ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) frameworks.
- Responsible gameplay tools including spending limits, self-exclusion options, and one-click access to responsible gaming resources.
- Financial protections through partnerships with major payment networks that require the same security standards as major retailers.
“We share the stated goal of Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Christopher Hebert that we don’t want citizens at risk or to undermine fairness and integrity,” Duncan said. “This is precisely why we advocate for comprehensive regulatory frameworks that provide appropriate oversight and mandate robust consumer safeguards to ensure all companies meet the standards adhered to by SGLA partners while offering valuable economic opportunities for states.”
“Many of the parties campaigning against our industry have clear vested interests and conveniently ignore this commitment to strong consumer safeguards, instead spreading misinformation in an attempt to stifle competition.
“Public officials should also keep in mind that millions of Americans have safely enjoyed these games for more than a decade and that these players are their constituents who want the freedom of choice to continue to access this popular form of digital entertainment,” Duncan emphasized. “We want them to be able to continue enjoying these games in a safe, regulated environment with the strongest possible consumer protections, not have that choice taken away from them or be driven to unscrupulous operators.”
To learn more about SGLA, please visit our website at www.SGLeadership.org and our social channels at LinkedIn, X, Facebook and BlueSky.
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.
