Attorney General James Uthmeier recently announced two lawsuits against the operators of several popular online gambling sites for what he says is illegal gambling.
He alleged the "sweepstakes" online casinos, operated by Stake and VGW, exploit loopholes in Florida's laws by using a dual-currency system where players can buy coin packages that can be cashed out for cryptocurrency, gift cards or cash after "minimal play-through requirements," according to the Attorney General office's Aug. 19 press release announcing the lawsuits.
Uthmeier said the dual-currency model is being used as a way to disguise real-money gambling, which is prohibited under Florida law, which only allows gambling in specific circumstances.
The online platforms offer traditional casino games like blackjack, slots, roulette and poker, and are marketed with TV ads, celebrity and influencer campaigns.
“These so-called ‘sweepstakes’ and ‘social casinos’ are illegal online gambling operations,” Uthmeier said in the press release. “If it looks like a casino, takes real money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino—and it is illegal under Florida law. These companies have been preying on Floridians, including minors and seniors, with deceptive marketing, and 24/7 access, while dodging our state’s licensing, taxation, and consumer-protection requirements. They must be stopped.”
The lawsuits, which were filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court Aug. 19, seek to stop these platforms from operating or soliciting in the state, while also seeking "forfeiture and recovery of money lost by Florida consumers, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties under FDUTPA, restitution, and attorneys’ fees," the press release informs.
Uthmeier also posted a video on X the same day explaining his stance on the issue.
If it looks like a casino, takes money like a casino, and pays out like a casino, it is a casino—and it’s illegal in Florida.
That’s why we’re suing predatory online gaming sites Stake and VGW to stop illegal gambling and recover money lost by Florida consumers. pic.twitter.com/JMboneyvxN
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) August 19, 2026
"These websites do not follow the safeguards or provide consumer protections that are required of licensed casinos under Florida law," he said in the video. "We're seeking to recover every dollar consumers lost."
These lawsuits join the ranks of several others he has filed over the past year, including suits against OpenAI and TikTok.
