(The Center Square) – Nearly 40 online sweepstakes casinos have agreed to stop doing business in Tennessee, according to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.
The games look like traditional casino games, according to a news release from Skrmetti’s office. Users can redeem their winnings for cash or other prizes.
But they are really a front for real-money gambling, according to Skrmetti.
“The only thing you can be sure about with an online sweepstakes casino is that it’s going to take your money. They work hard to make these sweepstakes casinos look legitimate, but at the end of the day they are not,” Skrmetti said. “They avoid any oversight that could ensure honesty or fairness.”
The games violate Tennessee’s gambling and consumer protection laws, according to Skrmetti. He said the nearly 40 companies that received cease-and-desist letters have agreed to comply with state laws.
“Our office was glad to chase these shady operations out of Tennessee and will keep working to protect Tennesseans from illegal gambling,” Skrmetti said.
The only gaming allowed in Tennessee is online sports wagering, which was approved by state lawmakers in 2019 and began in November 2020.
The Tennessee Sports Wagering Council oversees the industry. Eleven companies are approved to operate in Tennessee.
