You Might Be a Winner
        A blog from the attorneys of Verrill

        A Visit from St. Nickel-less (A Harbinger for Sweepstakes Casinos)

        by Robert Laplaca on December 22, 2025

        ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the ‘net,

        Not a creature was stirring, no one could bet;

        Free coins were offered by the websites with care,

        In hopes that regulators would never come there.

        People were playing from desks and from beds,

        While visions of real dollars danced in their heads;

        And Hochul in her ‘kerchief and James in her cap,

        The Sponsors had thought had gone off for a nap.

        But up in Albany there arose such a clatter,

        Sweepstakes casinos most certainly do matter;

        Away to the lawyers Sponsors flew like a flash,

        What do we do with our Virtual Cash?

        The landscape we said you better should know,

        Has formed a cloud on the games you now show;

        And what to our wondering eyes did appear,

        But a brand-new law plus five others this year;

        With the stroke of a pen so lively and quick,

        I knew in a moment we were in thick;

        More rapid than a sleigh the new rules they came,

        And the AG called out the websites by name:

        No Chanced, No Chumba, No High 5, No Zula,

        But how can anyone win any moolah?

        From the shores of Lake Erie to the skyline so tall,

        Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

         

        On, and by the way, last week New York passed a law

        that will end sweepstakes casinos operations in the State, joining California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey and Nevada.

         

        Happy holidays!

        You Might Be a Winner

        Promotion and sweepstakes laws vary widely across the fifty states and under federal regulations, creating complex challenges for today’s innovative marketers. This blog explores the latest updates and trends in promotion and marketing law, offering practical insights to help brands stay compliant while pushing creative boundaries. We’ll also discuss noteworthy, questionable, and groundbreaking promotional campaigns to encourage thoughtful discussion among marketing and legal professionals.

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