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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier initiated legal action through dual lawsuits against several online social casino operators, asserting they violated the state’s consumer protection statutes. The complaints, filed in Hillsborough County, target VGW companies, Yodlee, Trustly, Worldpay Holdco, and Stake, naming them as operators of unlicensed gambling platforms that allegedly caused consumer harm and cost Florida substantial government revenue.
The state’s legal filings contend that VGW’s distribution and marketing of Sweeps Coins—a digital currency central to the operators’ business model—directly circumvents Florida gambling regulations. Prosecutors allege the defendants engaged in deceptive marketing by promoting their platforms as “free,” “100% safe,” and “completely legal,” while simultaneously enabling round-the-clock access, processing credit card and Apple Pay transactions, and leveraging social media influencers to expand their customer base.
Uthmeier characterized the operations as fundamentally indistinguishable from traditional casinos in a public statement, declaring that entities functioning as casinos in all material respects constitute illegal gambling under Florida law. The attorney general pledged to halt the unlawful gaming enterprises and seek restitution on behalf of affected Florida residents.
Representatives from the defendant companies declined requests for comment regarding the allegations.
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