Breaking News: Connecticut Cracking Down on Online Sweepstakes Casinos
High 5 and Connecticut's Gambling Regulator Agree on a $1.5 Million Settlement
By: Richard "The Casino King" Janvrin June 02, 2025 📸: Flickr, CC BY-SA 3.0
Get ready, gamblers! The party might be over for online sweepstakes casinos in Connecticut. The state's Senate and House of Representatives have both passed SB1235, a bill targeting these unlicensed online casino operators. This new legislation could put an end to sweepstakes casinos in Connecticut, should it get the final green light from Governor Ned Lamont.
With just days left in the current legislative session, the clock is ticking. If SB1235 becomes law, violations would be considered a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to one year.
Connecticut isn't alone in this move. Similar anti-sweeps bills have also emerged in Louisiana and Nevada, while Montana has already passed comparable legislation. This crackdown on online sweepstakes operations is happening nationwide, as regulators and lawmakers catch on to the game.
The push against online sweepstakes casinos comes after news of a $1.5 million settlement with High 5 Games. The company agreed to the sum due to the availability of its sweepstakes casino in Connecticut. The settlement includes a payout of $650,000 to players who made purchases at High 5 that exceeded the value of sweepstakes redemptions. The rest of the money will go to the Consumer Protection Enforcement Fund.
Richard "The Casino King" Janvrin, a University of New Hampshire graduate with a degree in English/Journalism, has been covering the ever-evolving online casino industry since 2018. With a focus on sports, sports betting, and online casinos, Richard delivers the latest and most accurate news in the world of online gaming. Stay tuned for more updates on the status of SB1235 and the future of online sweepstakes casinos in Connecticut.
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With the push against online sweepstakes casinos, sports betting enthusiasts in Connecticut might need to seek alternative venues like Las Vegas or online casinos for their poker games and jackpot pursuits. If SB1235 becomes law, it could potentially move sports betting and casino-and-gambling activities away from unlicensed platforms in the state. As the crackdown on online sweepstakes operators expands nationwide, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the online casino industry across the U.S.
