Sidepot, the sweepstakes casino platform operated by Fliff Inc., has withdrawn from the Arizona market, making it the seventh operator to exit the state amid heightened regulatory scrutiny.
The move follows recent enforcement actions by the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), which has stepped up efforts to curb the presence of sweepstakes casinos in the state. While Arizona law does not explicitly outlaw sweepstakes-style gaming platforms, the ADG has relied on cease-and-desist orders to pressure operators into withdrawing.
This strategy has already led multiple sweepstakes casinos to exit the market, highlighting the regulator’s proactive stance in addressing what it views as unlicensed gambling activity.
These are the sweepstakes casinos that have exited the Arizona market:
With its Arizona departure, Sidepot Casino is now restricted in the following states:
For Arizona players, Sidepot’s withdrawal means one less option in the already shrinking pool of sweepstakes casinos available in the state. As more operators exit under regulatory pressure, users who previously enjoyed sweepstakes-style gaming are left with limited alternatives.
With real money online casinos unavailable in Arizona, that could push players to offshore platforms. These are operators that do not comply with the same industry standards in security, putting players at risk.
Arizona’s aggressive stance toward sweepstakes casinos may signal broader shifts in how regulators approach these gray-area gaming platforms. By leveraging cease-and-desist orders instead of waiting for new legislation, the ADG is effectively shaping the market through enforcement.
This approach could influence other states grappling with the rise of sweepstakes casinos. Instead of waiting for policy to outright ban sweepstakes casinos, regulatory bodies could opt to go with the ADG’s strategy.
To date, there is no active legislative push in Arizona specifically aimed at banning sweepstakes casinos. The cease-and-desist strategy has been the main approach.
Under Arizona law, all gambling is illegal unless specifically exempted. A.R.S. § 13-3302 makes clear that only authorized forms, such as the state lottery or certain charitable raffles, are permitted. Sweepstakes platforms, which often blur the line between promotional contests and gambling, operate in a gray zone under existing law, which is why they’ve been issued cease-and-desist letters.
Because sweepstakes platforms often rely on legal uncertainty and loopholes, regulators in Arizona appear to favor case-by-case enforcement instead of introducing sweeping legislative bans. This approach allows the ADG to act quickly against operators without waiting for lawmakers to pass new statutes. With that in mind, there’s no reason to expect any movement for sweepstakes bans going forward. There’s no point in doing so, since sweepstakes casinos are already leaving the state.
