Following a collection of stop and desist letters acquired by sweepstakes on line casino and sweepstakes poker operators in February, Stake US has contacted its Illinois participant base and knowledgeable them that the location might be ending operations within the state as of Might 19, 2026.
Beginning on Might 19, Stake US accounts primarily based in Illinois might be positioned into redeem-only mode, that means gamers will nonetheless be capable to log in to their accounts and redeem any excellent balances.
Nonetheless, Illinois on-line poker gamers will not be capable to be a part of any video games, make any purchases, take part in promotions, or generate codes free of charge Stake Money.
Stake US apologized to its customers for the inconvenience, expressed appreciation for the time they spent enjoying, and requested any gamers who imagine the e-mail won’t apply to them to achieve out, as Stake US will proceed its operations in quite a few different states.
Stake US Continues to Adjust to Native Rules
Stake US is likely one of the 4 energetic sweepstakes poker platforms within the nation, providing on-line poker video games by way of the favored “sweeps” or “social” poker mannequin.
During the last couple of years, sweepstakes poker websites have been focused by quite a few statewide bans, together with these in New York and California, the 2 greatest markets.
To date, the sweepstakes operators have responded in another way to the states transferring to ban the mannequin, with some selecting to stay totally or partially energetic in markets like Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and others.
Not like a few of its opponents, Stake US has regarded to adjust to stop and desist orders and statewide bans promptly. To this point, the operator has exited 19 states, greater than any of the opposite sweepstakes poker websites, and continues to function in solely 31 states.
As compared, International Poker nonetheless operates in 36 states, Golf equipment Poker in 39, whereas ClubWPT Gold, which switched to a brand new poker training-based mannequin, nonetheless operates in 44 markets throughout America.
Is Sweepstakes Poker in Illinois Lifeless?
In early February 2026, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) reached out to greater than 60 sweepstakes operators with stop and desist letters, ordering them to promptly wrap up their Illinois operations.
Nonetheless, solely two of the 60+ operators focused have been poker websites, with the overwhelming majority of others being sweepstakes casinos.
International Poker and Stake US have been the one two operators to obtain the letters that provide sweeps poker via their platforms, whereas each Golf equipment Poker and ClubWPT Gold have been neglected of the preliminary wave.
As issues at the moment stand, solely Stake US has given an official date when the platform will cease being out there to gamers in Illinois, whereas International Poker is predicted to do the identical within the coming weeks.
However, Golf equipment Poker might select to maintain working for the foreseeable future, whereas ClubWPT Gold continues to be exploring the viability of its new working mannequin and continues to function even in markets like California and New York, which have been deserted by all opponents.
Whereas the way forward for sweepstakes poker doesn’t seem too brilliant for gamers in Illinois, video games will doubtless stay out there by way of Golf equipment Poker and ClubWPT Gold at the least for the higher a part of 2026.
The Social Poker Market Continues to Shrink
Social on line casino and poker websites have been below heavy scrutiny for some time now, with 2025 being a 12 months of main crackdowns.
As of proper now, states like New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, Indiana, Connecticut, Utah, and Washington have totally banned all types of sweepstakes playing, classifying it as unlawful playing.
In states like Maryland, Mississippi, and Minnesota, the crackdown in opposition to sweepstakes operators has begun via cease-and-desist letters and partial enforcement, though full payments outlawing them haven’t been signed into legislation.
Illinois is the newest state to hitch the rising development, whereas the likes of Florida, Maine, and Ohio proceed to think about legal guidelines to outlaw sweepstakes gaming and additional shrink the prevailing market.
