Sweepstakes Operators Join Forces to Form the SPGA

Eleven sweepstakes operators have joined forces to form the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), a body that will promote responsible sweepstakes gaming.

The Body Will Promote Innovation and Integrity

The SPGA, according to the official announcement, is “dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social and promotional games, sometimes referred to as social sweepstakes games.”

The SPGA describes social and promotional gaming as an “integral part” of digital entertainment and a pastime enjoyed by millions of Americans. Sweepstakes operators’ goal is to blend innovation with social gaming to provide players with fun and interactive gameplay rather than simply monetary rewards.

The organization is furthermore committed to protecting players from harm and excessive gaming. By bringing several companies together, the SPGA will represent a “unified voice” for integrity and responsibility in social and promotional gaming.

The new body will initially consist of 11 members. These include the following operators:

• 10 Ten Gaming
• Blazesoft
• Fliff
• FSG Digital
• Gold Coin Group
• High 5 Entertainment
• KHK Games
• Kickr Games
• Octacom
• Rolling Riches
• Woopla Gaming

Seth Schorr, chief executive officer 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.”

By creating this association, we are committed to helping regulators and policymakers understand how our industry’s products work and how they comply with the appropriate state and federal laws.

Seth Schorr, CEO, FSG Digital

The Sweepstakes Sector Remains Controversial

The announcement comes just after the launch of Novig in the US. Novig, which is an ambitious company that seeks to provide players with customer-centric gaming, forayed into 42 states and Washington DC, hoping to engage fans with novel experiences.

The sweepstakes sector, meanwhile, continues to attract scrutiny as many believe that it is not sufficiently regulated. The American Gaming Association recently questioned the legality of sweepstakes games, urging a closer inspection into the matter.

Sweepstakes, for reference, are not considered to constitute gambling and are therefore not regulated as such. However, the sector still has certain similarities to gambling, prompting regulatory efforts from certain US jurisdictions.