USA · sweepstakes model · not a gambling licence
US sweepstakes casino.
Reach US players without a gambling licence — through the sweepstakes promotional model. It's legal in most states, but it lives or dies on compliance, and the regulatory map is shifting monthly. We structure it correctly and keep you on the right side of the line.
The legal model
A sweepstakes casino is not an online casino with a licence — it's a promotional-sweepstakes operation. Get the structure right and it's legal across most of the US; get it wrong and it's illegal gambling. The mechanics matter:
What we set up
The honest part: state risk
The sweepstakes model is under active pressure. Nine states now have statutory bans in force or dated — Montana, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, California, Indiana, Maine, Tennessee and Oklahoma — and the newer ones capture the dual-currency mechanic as a category, whether or not an AMOE exists. New York and California also reach service providers: processors, platforms, geolocation vendors and affiliates, not just operators. Most states still permit the model, but the map changes every legislative session. The full breakdown, with dates and the supplier exposure, is on our sweepstakes casino page; if redemption isn't essential, compare it against a social casino. We build your geo-footprint to the current rules and adjust it as new laws land — no pretending the risk isn't there.
FAQ
Do I need a gambling licence for a US sweepstakes casino?
No — that's the point of the model. A properly-structured sweepstakes operation runs under promotional-sweepstakes law (with a genuine no-purchase Alternate Means of Entry), not a gambling licence. But it demands rigorous compliance, and it isn't legal in every state.
How does the dual-currency system work?
Players use Gold Coins for standard, non-redeemable play, and Sweeps Coins — obtainable for free via the AMOE — which can be redeemed for cash prizes. Real money is never wagered directly, which is what keeps it a sweepstakes rather than gambling.
Which states can I operate in?
Most, but not all. Nine states have statutory bans in force or dated — Montana, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, California, Indiana, Maine, Tennessee and Oklahoma — and Washington and Michigan act through enforcement instead. We configure geolocation to the current map and update it as laws change; the dated breakdown is on our sweepstakes casino page.
What does Vantegris actually do?
We structure the entity, draft the official rules and AMOE, set up state geo-compliance, wire the coin-purchase and prize-redemption payment flows, and keep tracking the regulatory landscape so your footprint stays compliant. Not legal advice — we work alongside your counsel.
Related services.
Operators and suppliers looking at this usually need one of these next.
Registration or full licence, state by state, for CPA and rev-share affiliates.
Romania Class 2, Greece HGC, Gibraltar GOSS, PAGCOR — classified and filed per market.
Critical-supply authorisation for studios, platforms, aggregators and RNG providers.
ISO 27001, GLI-19/33, RNG and eCOGRA — the certificates counterparties ask for, managed end to end.
The dual-currency model, the state bans, and why New York's statute reaches suppliers too.
Every gaming jurisdiction we run, compared side by side.
Thinking about the US market?
Tell us your product — we'll map a compliant sweepstakes structure and the states you can safely run in. NDA on request.
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