The Social Gaming Management Alliance (SGLA) is asking state lawmakers in Maine to reconsider the SP 825 bill which might see Social Plus video games banned.
It was again in November 2025 when the time period ‘Social Plus’ was coined in a weblog written by SGLA’s Managing Director Sean Ostrow as a brand new time period for on-line sweepstakes sport. These are at all times restricted to gamers 21+ and might embody interactive board, card or casino-style video games which can be free-to-play.
Now, the alliance says they’ve submitted testimony on the Maine Senate Paper 825 as they are saying Social Plus video games are a lawful class of free-to-play and freemium on-line social video games with sweepstakes promotions.
Virginia turns into the fifth state to suggest a ban on sweepstakes casinos within the 2026 legislative session, becoming a member of Maine, Indiana, Florida and Mississippi. Virginia's proposed sweeps ban is a part of the iGaming invoice launched earlier this week. HB 161: https://t.co/SsJ5rUHZs1 pic.twitter.com/QtxWrtkgC9
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) January 11, 2026
The SGLA suggests round 50,000 adults all through the state of Maine use these kinds of video games.
“If the language of SP 825 is handed, the end result can be sadly predictable – the law-abiding operators will exit the state, however unlawful operators will keep and prey on unsuspecting Maine shoppers,” mentioned Sean Ostrow, Managing Director of the SGLA.
“Social Plus operators provide actual shopper protections that preserve minors from enjoying, that shield shopper information and funds, and that encourage accountable social gameplay.”
Talking about their accomplice operators, SGLA say all of them make sure that all Social Plus video games are outfitted with strong shopper protections, together with age and id verification, accountable social gameplay instruments, geolocation, and safe dealing with of shopper information.
“Important to this physique, but additionally to us, is our participant security, safety and sport integrity,” mentioned Lloyd Melnick, Chief Development Officer at VGW, through the listening to. “We’re extremely pleased with the measures and options now we have developed.”
The alliance has as a substitute supplied an alternative choice to banning Social plus games, as they’ve proposed a regulatory framework which they are saying will generate over $3 million in annual income for Maine by participant buy taxes and operator registration charges.
“This proposal would make sure that all operators implement strict age-verification restrictions to maintain individuals underneath the age of 21 from collaborating, shield shopper information and privateness, guarantee prizes will be redeemed promptly, present clear and truthful promoting to adults solely, and supply sources to make sure that clients are interacting with Social Plus video games responsibly,” Ostrow added.
Featured Picture: Through SGLA on X
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