Competitors in the sweepstakes industry unite under the SPGA banner
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association: A Unified Voice for Responsible Gaming
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) has been established as a trade group dedicated to the social and promotional gaming industry. Launched in 2024 by a group of 11 sweepstakes operators, the SPGA aims to provide stakeholder education and advocate for the responsible operation of social and promotional games.
The core mission of the SPGA is to foster a regulated, responsible sweepstakes gaming environment. The association promotes responsible social sweepstakes gaming by advocating for clear legal distinctions between sweepstakes promotions and traditional gambling. Sweepstakes games are not considered to constitute gambling under federal law and are legal in most US states.
The SPGA pushes for meaningful regulation rather than outright bans on sweepstakes casinos. Regulation, they argue, can protect consumers, preserve player choice, and prevent driving players to unregulated or offshore platforms that pose greater risks.
The majority of players on websites associated with the SPGA play for free, using dual currency models that allow free-to-play access with opportunities to win prizes without requiring purchases. The SPGA also encourages responsible playing practices and age restrictions, generally limiting play to those 18 and older, and verifying player identities to maintain a safe gaming environment.
The SPGA opposes state-level enforcement actions that ban sweepstakes casinos, instead advocating for collaboration with regulators to establish modern, clear rules for these platforms. The association also aims to help regulators and policymakers understand how the industry's products work and how they comply with state and federal laws.
The initial members of the SPGA include 10 Ten Gaming, Blazesoft, Fliff, FSG Digital, Gold Coin Group, High 5 Entertainment, KHK Games, Kickr Games, Octacom, Rolling Riches, and Woopla Gaming. Seth Schorr, CEO of FSG Digital, one of the SPGA's members, commented on the matter, calling the new body a "critical step toward establishing a clear and cohesive voice for the social sweepstakes industry."
The sweepstakes sector continues to attract scrutiny due to concerns about insufficient regulation. However, the SPGA is committed to protecting players from harm and excessive gaming. The association also aims to blend innovation with social gaming to provide players with fun and interactive gameplay.
Recently, the American Gaming Association questioned the legality of sweepstakes games, urging a closer inspection into the matter. Despite these concerns, the SPGA remains dedicated to its mission of promoting responsible social sweepstakes gaming and advocating for the responsible operation of social and promotional games.
As the digital entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the SPGA will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of social and promotional gaming. A notable example is the recent launch of Novig in the US, an ambitious company that seeks to provide players with novel gaming experiences in 42 states and Washington DC. With the SPGA's guidance, the future of social and promotional gaming looks promising and responsible.
The SPGA advocates for the integration of technology in promoting responsible social sweepstakes gaming, envisioning a future where innovative gaming experiences are regulated and safe for all players. In the ever-growing digital entertainment landscape, sports enthusiasts can expect to discover various legal, technologically advanced social and promotional games that cater to their interests.
