Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a warning to tech giants Google, Meta, and TikTok, urging them to cease the advertisement of online sweepstakes casinos within the state. In a letter directed to the general counsels of these companies, Uthmeier requested a written response by October 23.
This warning follows a series of lawsuits initiated in August against various operators including Stake, VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand, and Global Poker, along with their payment processors. Florida is seeking injunctions, consumer refunds, and penalties as part of its legal actions.
Uthmeier asserts that these platforms are promoting gambling services lacking the legal authority to operate in Florida. The state contends that this activity constitutes illegal gambling, regardless of claims that the sites are for free or social play. The lawsuits also scrutinize the use of celebrity endorsements and influencer marketing strategies.
The attorney general's demands include permanent injunctions to bar the defendants from conducting business in Florida, restitution to affected consumers, profit forfeiture from gambling activities, and penalties under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
