Florida AG Presses Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, and TikTok Over Sweepstakes Casino Ads

Florida attorney general James Uthmeier has sent letters to Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, and TikTok asking what they have done to stop ads for online sweepstakes casinos from reaching Florida residents. For PSPs and payment teams, the point is simple: the state is now treating sweepstakes promotion as part of the enforcement stack, not just the operators themselves.

1. Uthmeier gave the companies until October 23 to disclose the measures they have taken to prevent promotion of sites including Stake, Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker to Florida residents. His office says these sweepstakes casinos are operating illegally in the state.
2. The letters follow recent lawsuits in Florida against operators of high-profile sweepstakes platforms and the related payment service companies. Uthmeier’s legal challenge is aimed at stopping sweepstakes casinos from targeting local customers, seeking penalties and recovery of consumer losses.
3. Uthmeier also argues that advertising an unauthorized gambling operation may violate Florida law. He says the named platforms do not have a state gambling license, yet still offer casino-style games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker.
4. According to Uthmeier, these companies present themselves as social or free-to-play entertainment while using celebrities and influencers to push the idea of big winnings. He also points to the dual-currency model used by many sweepstakes platforms, which he says is designed to bypass state licensing requirements and consumer protections.
5. The attorney general says players can use credits to play casino-style games and later exchange them for cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. He says this setup exploits vulnerable Floridians, including minors and seniors. His office is not accusing Google, Meta, Reddit, Snap, or TikTok of operating sweepstakes casinos; it is asking whether they helped those platforms reach Florida customers through advertising services.

Florida’s move lines up with broader pushback against sweepstakes across the USA. Kentucky recently saw eleven lawsuits targeting major sweepstakes brands, while New York and Tennessee have also challenged the model.