A Bold Bet in a Shaky Market
Most suppliers are stepping back from the U.S. sweepstakes space. ProgressPlay is moving in the opposite direction. The European iGaming company has announced a new dual-currency sweeps platform, complete with compliance features and a packed content library. It will make its debut at SBC Summit Lisbon in September 2025.
At a time when bans and lawsuits are mounting, the move looks like a contrarian gamble that could easily backfire.
Who Is ProgressPlay?
ProgressPlay has been around the European online casino scene for years, building white-label platforms for operators. The company already works with more than 100 sportsbooks and 150 casinos, alongside 80+ media partners. Its client roster has included Evolution, Scientific Games, and Wazdan. In other words, this is a seasoned supplier with infrastructure and reach, not an untested startup.
What They’re Offering
The platform uses the familiar sweeps model—Gold Coins for free play and Sweeps Coins for prizes, but ProgressPlay is trying to position itself as an all-in-one provider. That means operators get:
- geolocation tools to keep state compliance in check
- age verification to block underage play
- localized hosting and back-end support
- a content package including BetSoft, Pragmatic Play, and Spinomenal
The pitch is clear: a turnkey solution that’s compliance-ready from day one.
The Challenges Ahead
ProgressPlay couldn’t have chosen a more difficult moment to launch.
- California’s AB 831 is awaiting Gov. Newsom’s signature and would outlaw dual-currency sweepstakes entirely.
- Louisiana has filed a $44 million tax lawsuit against VGW and WOW Vegas.
- Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey all passed bans in 2025.
Meanwhile, established names are pulling back. Novig quit New Jersey, Playtech exited California after calling sweeps just 1% of revenue, and Pragmatic Play has left the sweepstakes market entirely. Against that backdrop, ProgressPlay is running into a storm that others are leaving behind.
A Reputation Problem
ProgressPlay is also carrying baggage into the U.S. market.
- In 2025, the UK Gambling Commission fined the company $1.4 million for anti-money laundering and player protection failures.
- In 2022, it paid $290,000 for similar issues.
Regulators cited weak customer checks and oversight failures. That history makes ProgressPlay’s new “compliance-first” pitch a harder sell.
Why It Matters
For operators, the platform could be an opportunity to get to market faster without cobbling together their own infrastructure. Smaller brands may finally be able to compete with giants like VGW and Pulsz. For players, more choice could mean better ID checks and potentially quicker redemptions.
But the risks are just as real. If more states follow California’s lead, new launches could be shut down almost as quickly as they appear—leaving operators stranded and players out of luck.
Conclusion
ProgressPlay is making a bold bet on U.S. sweepstakes casinos at a time when the market is under pressure from bans, lawsuits, and supplier retreats. Whether this turns out to be a breakthrough or a bust depends on how quickly the regulatory landscape shifts—and whether the company can convince regulators and partners that its compliance-first approach is more than just a marketing line.
Blaise Luis
