Minnesota Attorney General Calls Out Luckyland, Zula, and FortuneCoins in Official Letter

Attorney General Keith Ellison recently announced that his office has issued letters directing 14 gaming operators to stop offering sports betting, casino, and sweep-style gaming to Minnesota’s players. Among those are LuckyLand Slots (VG LuckyLand), Zula Casino, and Fortune Coins, all operating ‘sweeps-style’ casinos in the state. Ellison argues that these websites violate the state’s consumer-protection laws that prohibit unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices.

Respondents have until December 1st, 2025, to confirm in writing that they have stopped offering sweepstakes casino gaming in the state.

14 Gaming Sites Violate the State’s Consumer Protection Laws, Says Ellison

In a letter dated November 5th, AG Ellison laid out the grounds for ordering the closure of popular gaming sites. Ellison’s office argued that these websites violate state laws, and specifically highlighted the following concerns:

• The sweepstakes casinos on the list operate on a dual-currency model- players purchase virtual Gold Coins (GCs) and Sweeps Coins (SCs), with the latter redeemable for vouchers or cash prizes;
• The AG’s office argues that this structure makes them “illegal lotteries” under state laws, since they blend consideration (money spent), prize, and chance.
• The “play-for-free” model that’s offered by sweepstakes casinos also gets flagged. According to authorities, while these sites boast a “no-purchase requirement”, they’re still designed to entice users into buying virtual currencies to win real-world prizes, which is misleading.

According to Ellison, these gaming platforms may be advertised as legal and safe, but they’re not. He added that “trying to rebrand poker chips as virtual currencies does not change the fact that these online gambling operations are unlawful”.

Ellison also issued a final warning to operators, then proceeded to thank the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety for their assistance.

SGLA Issues Statement on Minnesota’s Recent Campaign

The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA),  a sweeps advocacy group, has released a statement concerning the AG’s action. According to Jeff Duncan, SGLA’s Executive Director, their sweepstakes casino partners are doing their share in protecting players.  

He added that legitimate social gaming websites use strict responsible gameplay tools, including strict age verification standards. Duncan reiterated their commitment to working with state officials to develop and maintain a higher level of consumer protection, while helping generate new tax revenues.

Aside from LuckyLand, Zula and Fortune Coins, these letters were also addressed to BetAnySports, BetUS, BetNow, XBet, BetWhalre, BetOnline, EveryGame Sportsbook, Bovada, MyBookie.com, Slotsandcasino, and Sportsbetting.com.

REFERENCES:

• Minnesota Attorney General