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Spree, one of the leading sweepstakes casinos, has announced it will once again be accepting customers from the great states of Georgia and Alabama. Neither offers regulated real money online casinos or sports betting at the moment.
The decision comes as a handful of U.S. states have passed laws - or are in the process of doing so - that would prevent sweepstakes casinos from operating.
California is one such state. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law a measure that makes dual-currency sweepstakes models illegal and specifically makes it unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, offer, or promote an online sweepstakes game in the nation's most populous state.
Unlike a real money online casino, sweepstakes - or social casinos - is an online platform that allows users to play casino-style games, including slots, bingo, table games, and even live casino games, using virtual currency instead of real money. These types of online casinos rely on additional real money purchases once the free play component is exhausted. In contrast, real money online casinos require a small deposit that can be increased through wins. Free play and cash bonuses are typically offered as well.
Welcome Back Spree
Spree initially exited both Georgia and Alabama due to a perceived legal risks in both states.
From Deadspin:
In Alabama, Stake.us faced a lawsuit earlier this year, which alleged that the platform was running an illegal gambling ring similar to internet cafes of the past. This was one of several cases within Alabama, which created a climate where operators sought to avoid potential liability by pulling out of the state altogether.
In Georgia, VGW, which operates Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, faced a lawsuit that accused the company of violating local gambling laws. Although this case was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction, where the judge determined that it wasn’t the right court to hear it, the fact that there was litigation made Georgia a gray area for operators. As a precaution, Spree joined other platforms in restricting access to Georgia players until the legal picture became clearer.
Spree Casino, launched in 2024 by Play Spree Ltd, is a U.S.-focused social sweepstakes casino regulated by the Government of the Isle of Man.
Available in most US states, it offers over 1,300 casino-style games, including slots and live dealers, playable without wagering real money.
The company recently brought on Detroit rapper Xzibit as its celebrity ambassador.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
