Sidepot Withdraws from Arizona Due to Increased Oversight

Sidepot, a Fliff-affiliated sweepstake casino, is officially out of the Arizona market as of late September 2025. The decision makes Sidepot the seventh sweepstakes casino operator to exit Arizona, reflecting mounting pressure from the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG), and a broader industry trend. 

With this latest exit, Sidepot’s list of restricted North American jurisdictions hit 18, including New Jersey, New York, and Quebec in Canada. Quebec’s inclusion is interesting since Sidepot remains accessible in most of Canada, Ontario included. However, ADG’s aggressive regulation puts Arizona in the growing list of restricted states for Sidepot.

What’s Driving Sidepot’s Sudden Exit?

Sidepot’s decision to leave Arizona has been expected by many observers. Arizona’s aggressive regulation is arguably the biggest reason for Sidepot’s decision. For months, ADG has been busy issuing cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes casinos, highlighting the operator’s “unlicensed gambling activities”. While the state has no formal law banning sweepstakes casinos, the state has taken an aggressive stance. 

For months, the state’s regulator strategies have included public warnings and direct orders, including cease-and-desist orders. While Sidepot wasn’t the target of these orders, its parent company, Fliff, was hit with a closure order. Sidepot’s operational ties with Fliff make it a possible target.

Last August 15th, ADG issued a cease-and-desist order against unregulated sweepstakes operators targeting Arizona players. Fliff was one of the respondents, together with Thrillz, Betty Sweeps, and Pulsz.

The state’s regulator argued that these sites aren’t just illegal, they also  “pose serious risks to consumer protection and financial security across the state, undermining the integrity of Arizona’s regulated gaming industry”.

What’s Up with the Broader Regulatory Environment?

Sidepot’s decision to exit Arizona opened up the broader regulatory realities:

• Arizona’s regulators have issued closure orders to at least 17 operators this year, citing their illegal operations.
• Observers say ADG’s approach is a “whack-a-mole”, targeting both bigger and lesser-known operators, leading to sudden exits.
• Absence of real-money sites may drive some locals to play at unlicensed offshore betting sites.
• In addition to Sidepot, the Arizona market has also lost Stake, High 5 Casino, Thrillz, and Pulsz.

Final Thoughts

Sidepot’s exit is primarily due to increasing regulatory pressures and enforcement. This hostility from ADG, in the absence of a formal ban, has created a “hostile environment” for sweepstakes casino operators. Arizona’s aggressive efforts can set a precedent in other states, which will primarily impact smaller operators.

REFERENCES:

• Arizona Department of Gaming