Another Sweeps Exit in Arizona
Sidepot Casino, the sister brand of the popular sweeps sportsbook Fliff, has officially left the Arizona market. This move adds Sidepot to the growing list of sweepstakes casinos pulling back as the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) intensifies its crackdown on the industry. With this exit, Sidepot now blocks access in 18 North American jurisdictions, including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Tennessee, Washington, and Quebec.
The inclusion of Quebec is notable since most of Canada, including Ontario, remains open for Sidepot operations. However, Arizona now joins the ranks of states increasingly “off-limits” to sweepstakes gaming.
Why Sidepot Left Arizona
The decision aligns with the ADG’s recent enforcement push. In August, Fliff was one of four sweepstakes operators — along with Thrillzz, Betty Sweeps, and Pulsz — hit with cease-and-desist letters from the regulator. All four quickly exited the state.
Although Sidepot was not directly named in that enforcement wave, its ties to Fliff made the writing on the wall clear. Both platforms share the same workforce and technology, making it unlikely Arizona would distinguish between them. Fliff Inc. may have opted for a full-scale withdrawal across both platforms to avoid further risk of enforcement.
Interestingly, Sidepot and Fliff do not share identical restricted lists. For instance, Fliff bans players in Colorado, Hawaii, and Ohio, while Sidepot does not. Conversely, Sidepot excludes Delaware but Fliff does not. Arizona’s addition, therefore, appears to be more about regulatory pressure than blanket company policy.
Arizona’s Trend Against Sweeps Gaming
Arizona has emerged as one of the most aggressive states in policing sweepstakes casinos, even without specific legislation banning the model. The ADG has taken a proactive enforcement approach through cease-and-desist letters and public statements.
- In February, the ADG issued a public service announcement warning residents about “illegal online casinos and sweepstakes platforms,” coupled with new guidance clarifying what qualifies as legal sweepstakes contests.
- Since then, the regulator has targeted major operators including Stake.us, High 5 Casino, ARB Interactive (Modo.us), and most recently Fliff, Pulsz, Betty Sweeps, and Thrillzz.
- Other platforms like Ruby Sweeps and Carnival Citi have also voluntarily left the state, likely to avoid the risk of enforcement.
Altogether, at least seven operators have exited Arizona in 2025, creating a clear signal: the state is hostile territory for sweeps casinos.
What’s Next for Arizona and the Sweeps Industry
Without a formal law banning sweepstakes casinos, the ADG is essentially playing regulatory “whack-a-mole.” Operators that launch in the state face quick scrutiny and often depart within weeks or months.
For now, Sidepot’s departure underscores the broader compliance challenges facing the industry. The sweepstakes model — which operators argue is fully legal since play is free and no purchase is required — remains controversial in states like Arizona where regulators interpret it differently.
Unless legislation is passed to formally settle the debate, Arizona bettors should expect ongoing uncertainty, with more sweepstakes platforms likely to follow Sidepot’s lead in leaving the state.
