High 5 Games stops sweepstake services in six US states
High 5 Games, a major player in the online gaming space, has announced that the company will no longer offers its sweepstakes services in six US states. The company has set 14 March 2025 as the date when its sweepstakes platform, High 5 Casino, will no longer be available in certain states. As of 18 February 2025, High 5 Casino has stopped accepting new sweepstakes players and purchases in six states: Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
High 5 Casino’s sweepstakes platform shutdown
High 5 Games has confirmed that existing players in affected states can redeem their sweepstakes coins until 14 March 2025. In Washington, all in-game purchases will be voided and refunded, but the company will apply a 10 percent administrative fee to these refunds.
While the sweepstakes component is discontinued, High 5 Casino’s classic play feature will remain available in these states. However, other states, including Michigan and Nevada, were already listed as excluded sweep territories where the company does not offer sweepstakes services. Other states on this exclusion list include Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, and Washington.
Legal landscape and impact on High 5 Games
The move follows a legal fight in Washington, where High 5 Games was recently ruled against by a state jury to the tune of $24.9 million in damages. The suit alleged that the social casino platform of the company infringed on state laws, resulting in a hefty fine. Although High 5 Games has not openly attributed the shutdown to the lawsuit, the timing indicates it had something to do with the decision. Despite these setbacks, High 5 Games remains a key partner for major online casino operators like DraftKings and BetMGM.
US states action against sweepstakes casinos
Sweepstakes casinos exist in a technical legal grey area within most states. The sites permit users to buy virtual money that can at times be exchanged for real-life prizes. Nevertheless, the growing focus on the model has generated demand for stricter control. The issue of the legality of these sites remains controversial, with states treating the issue in varying ways.
Several states, including Connecticut, Maryland, and Mississippi, have recently debated laws to ban sweepstakes casinos. Mississippi became the first state legislature to approve a complete prohibition, moving the bill to the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, New Jersey lawmakers are looking to clarify the legal standing of sweepstakes casinos and bring them under official regulation, similar to online casinos and sports betting.
