Florida is taking a new approach in its efforts to curb sweepstakes casinos, expanding legal action beyond operators and into the companies that help process payments. In lawsuits filed August 19, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier named several payment processing firms as co-defendants alongside major sweepstakes casino operators VGW and Stake.
The move represents one of the most aggressive state-level enforcement strategies seen in the sweepstakes casino industry. Rather than focusing solely on the platforms offering games to consumers, Florida is attempting to hold companies involved in the financial side of the business accountable as well. Uthmeier has been at the forefront of this battle for some time.
The lawsuit against VGW, the company behind Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker, names payment companies Yodlee, Trustly and Worldpay Holdco as defendants. A separate lawsuit involving Stake.us names Praxis Tech and Breeze Labs Payments, along with Stake co-founders Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani.
According to the complaints, Florida alleges the payment companies continued providing services despite previous regulatory actions and public scrutiny surrounding sweepstakes gaming operations. State attorneys argue the firms were not merely neutral service providers but played a role in facilitating transactions tied to the platforms.
By naming payment processors directly, Florida is attempting to extend legal responsibility beyond the operators themselves. If successful, the strategy could create additional pressure on businesses that support sweepstakes casino transactions.
The lawsuits follow a series of actions taken by Florida earlier this year. In June 2026, the attorney general’s office sent cease-and-desist letters to major card networks Visa, Mastercard and American Express, urging them to stop processing transactions connected to sweepstakes casinos.
Florida is not the only jurisdiction exploring this type of enforcement. Other states have begun examining the role payment providers and related service companies play in facilitating online gaming transactions. Louisiana, for example, enacted legislation that extends potential liability to payment processors and geolocation vendors involved in certain gambling-related activities.
The strategy reflects a growing focus on the broader ecosystem that supports online gaming operations. Regulators appear increasingly willing to examine the financial infrastructure behind these businesses rather than targeting operators alone.
Florida’s complaints also include substantial revenue estimates for the companies involved. The state alleges VGW generated more than $5 billion in revenue during 2025, with Chumba Casino accounting for roughly $3.7 billion of that total.
The complaint against Stake.us cites approximately $4.7 billion in gross gaming revenue during 2024. Florida is seeking penalties under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, along with consumer restitution and the recovery of profits allegedly tied to the challenged business activities.
Civil penalties could increase depending on the circumstances of individual violations, particularly those involving seniors or minors.
The lawsuits remain in their early stages, and neither operator nor the payment processor defendants had publicly responded at the time of publication. The outcome of the cases could take months or longer to determine.
In the meantime, industry observers will be watching whether payment providers continue supporting transactions linked to sweepstakes casinos. If processors choose to limit their involvement while litigation is ongoing, consumers could experience disruptions to deposits, withdrawals or other payment functions before any final court rulings are issued.
The cases may ultimately serve as a test of whether states can effectively restrict sweepstakes casino activity by targeting the companies that help move money through the system, creating a potential blueprint for future enforcement efforts elsewhere in the United States.
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