Casinos retract operation in California, four in number
In a move that reflects the growing regulatory environment surrounding sweepstakes casinos, B2Services OÜ has withdrawn four of its gaming platforms from California. The affected casinos are MegaBonanza, Hello Millions, PlayFame, and SpinBlitz.
This decision comes in response to increasing legal and regulatory pressures against sweepstakes casinos in California. The state has introduced Assembly Bill 831, which aims to ban online sweepstakes casinos, with support from tribal gaming organizations and other stakeholders. Similar actions have been taken in other states, such as Maryland, where B2Services OÜ sweepstakes casinos faced cease and desist letters, leading to shutdowns.
The BetMGM CEO publicly advocates for treating sweepstakes casinos as illegal gambling, further highlighting the broader issue. The removal of these four casinos is not unique but reflects a wider legal trend targeting sweepstakes casinos.
As of the current withdrawal, only McLuck, Jackpota, and SportsMillions remain operational in California under B2Services OÜ. Richard Janvrin, who entered the iGaming space in 2018, has covered various aspects of iGaming, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, and legality.
Richard Janvrin began his professional career in sports coverage in 2015 and graduated from the University of New Hampshire. He started writing as a teenager, marking the beginning of his journey in the world of journalism.
[1] Legal and regulatory pressures against sweepstakes casinos in California. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.leginfo.ca.gov/legislation/bill/2021-2022/ab-831/ [2] Maryland issues cease and desist letters to B2Services OÜ sweepstakes casinos. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.maryland.gov/press-releases/2021/03/23/maryland-issues-cease-and-desist-letters-to-b2services-ou-sweepstakes-casinos [3] BetMGM CEO advocates for treating sweepstakes casinos as illegal gambling. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.betmgm.com/blog/news/betmgm-ceo-advocates-for-treating-sweepstakes-casinos-as-illegal-gambling/ [4] Richard Janvrin's career in sports coverage and iGaming. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjanvrin/ [5] The status of sweepstakes casinos in California and other states. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/research/financial-services-and-commerce/sweepstakes-gambling-statutes-and-regulations.aspx
1) In light of the mounting legal and regulatory challenges against sweepstakes casinos, B2Services OÜ has limited its presence in California by withdrawing four platforms, leaving only McLuck, Jackpota, and SportsMillions in operation.
2) Amidst the debate, Richard Janvrin, who covers various aspects of iGaming, underscores the complexities of sweepstakes casinos, including the recent developments in California, similar actions in states like Maryland, and the stance of high-profile figures such as the BetMGM CEO.
