Tennessee has actually split down on sweepstakes gaming operators that the state's Attorney General states are invalid online casinos.

- Tennessee's Attorney general of the United States's Office pursued nearly 40 sweepstakes gambling establishment operators.

- Numerous platforms are abiding by the state's cease-and-desist orders.

- The Volunteer State joins a growing list of jurisdictions that are going after uncontrolled video gaming business.

announced Monday that he sent out cease-and-desist letters to nearly 40 sweepstakes companies. All operators that have received the letter have either currently restricted their platforms from being accessed by Tennessee citizens or offered a date for ceasing operations.

The list of sweepstakes operators that prepare to leave the market consists of popular online platforms Chumba, Modo, McLuck, High 5 Casino, Stake, NoLimitCoins, and Crown Coins Casino.

"The only thing you can be sure about with an online sweepstakes casino is that it's going to take your money," Skrmetti said in a statement. "They work hard to make these sweepstakes casinos look legitimate, however at the end of the day, they are not. They prevent any oversight that could guarantee sincerity or fairness. Our Office was grateful to chase after these shady operations out of Tennessee and will keep working to safeguard Tennesseans from prohibited gaming."

Breaking the law

The Attorney general of the United States's workplace said sweepstakes gambling establishments remain in violation of the Tennessee Constitution's restriction on prohibited lotteries in addition to the state's gaming and consumer-protection laws.

The Attorney general of the United States described the dual-currency gambling establishment operators with table video games and slots as a "façade to conceal the fact that individuals might participate in real-money gambling on these platforms."

The office mentioned this crackdown is a caution for other sweepstakes gambling establishments presently operating or pondering getting in the marketplace that illegal gaming "will not be endured in Tennessee."

The Volunteer State's only types of legal gaming are the state lottery and licensed, regulated online sports betting, which introduced in 2020. Tennessee legislators and officials have long protested in-person or online gambling establishments.

Joining the battle

Tennessee joins a growing list of jurisdictions that have actually outlawed or punished sweepstakes gaming, which enables users to transform free-to-play tokens into coins that can be redeemed for cash rewards.

New York and California both passed legislation this year to prohibit sweepstakes operators and impose fines and penalties on companies that do not comply. The Golden State's restriction enters into effect Thursday. The Empire State's legislation was signed into law earlier this month.