The Social Gaming Management Alliance (SGLA) has publicly responded to the cease-and-desist orders issued by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
The regulator had taken purpose at a number of events working within the state, calling their actions unlawful and placing bettors in danger as a result of they weren’t formally licensed to function there.
Now the SGLA spokesperson, Managing Director Sean Ostrow, has fired again on the watchdog as a part of a public assertion on the letters.
SGLA’s Sean Ostrow fires again at Illinois Gaming Board
ReadWrite reviewed Ostrow’s assertion, a direct rebuttal to the seven-pages of letters published by the Illinois Gaming Board on February 5, 2026.
“Our operators implement sturdy age verification, accountable social gaming instruments, and complete safeguards on Social Plus video games, setting us aside from unregulated, unlawful playing websites,” stated the SGLA post.
This was in direct response to the IGB stating that there have been “greater than 60 cease-and-desist letters” issued to operators that had been operating “unlawful on-line on line casino and/or on-line sweepstakes gaming platforms in Illinois.”
SGLA says that there was a misunderstanding in playing terminology
The unique letters and assertion from the IGB emphasised that their enforcement focused “working unlawful on-line on line casino and/or on-line sweepstakes gaming platforms in Illinois.”
Ostrow believes that the choice so as to add unlawful playing operators with a press release surrounding “Social Plus” video games was a mistake.
“The truth that accountable Social Plus video games operators had been talked about alongside unlawful offshore playing web sites signifies a basic misunderstanding by the Illinois Gaming Board of the character of our business and the very actual client protections SGLA operator companions implement,” stated Ostrow.
Stake and VGW had been two of the largest names talked about within the cease-and-desist letters reported by ReadWrite.
SGLA gives olive department
In closing, Ostrow didn’t rule out the IGB and the SGLA working nearer collectively to keep up a greater understanding of these kind of video games within the eyes of the regulator.
“SGLA would welcome the chance to work constructively with Illinois regulators, Legal professional Basic and lawmakers to make sure our business continues to offer authorized, secure leisure for adults whereas sustaining the very best requirements of client safety,” he concluded.
It stays to be seen whether or not the IGB will take the chance, as a number of states, together with New York, Virginia, and Tennessee, have already begun the method of operating sweepstakes exterior the betting boundaries in 2026.
Featured picture: SGLA
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