WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2024)—The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA), an organization dedicated to providing stakeholder education and advocating for the responsible operation of social games offering promotional sweepstakes prizes, today announced the implementation of a Code of Conduct for its operator members.
The Code of Conduct is designed to spotlight the processes and technologies already in place at both SPGA member sites and the majority of social casinos offering promotional sweepstakes, also referred to as social sweeps games.
Social sweeps games combine the established social casino model, on which Americans have spent over $40 billion in the last decade, and add promotional prizes. No purchase is necessary to win prizes, and the vast majority of users play for free.
The foundational pillars of the Code of Conduct include the application of regulation-grade suppliers, technology, or policies to ensure:
- Age verification to limit purchases to users 18 and older
- Proper identity verification (Know Your Customer or KYC)
- Location verification of customers
- AML policies to ensure proper transaction monitoring
"The pillars of the SPGA Code of Conduct highlight the technology and processes already in place at most social sweeps operators to ensure that the millions of adults who enjoy these games do so in a safe and reliable environment," said Camilla Wright of Red Knot Communications, a spokesperson for the SPGA.
"The standards of the Code of Conduct go above and beyond the accepted best practices for traditional social casinos."
In the months ahead, the SPGA will release more details on the Code of Conduct, introduce additional pillars, and engage an external firm to certify member compliance with the Code.
"We look forward to continuing to develop the Code of Conduct to further strengthen the commitment of SPGA members to compliance and player protection while providing consumers with a highly social and engaging experience that is always free to play," said Wright.
For more information, visit thespga.org and watch our Video Briefing Session.
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Notes for Editors
About Social Gaming with Sweepstakes Prizing: Social gaming with sweepstakes prizing, also referred to as social sweepstakes games, is a well-established category of games enjoyed by millions of American adults.
The social sweeps model takes the traditional social casino model, where players can buy digital currency to play casino-style games, and adds promotional prizes to drive the sale of additional digital currency.
Americans have spent over $40 billion on social casino currency over the last decade, per data from Eilers & Krejcik Gaming. Using sweepstakes prizes to drive the sale of this bona fide consumer good is no different than the sweepstakes promotions used by Fortune 500 companies to increase sales of coffee, magazines, or french fries.
Social sweeps games operate on a "no purchase necessary" model, meaning customers are never required to spend money or make a purchase to have a chance to win prizes.
Social sweeps games are a free-to-play experience for the vast majority of consumers. Nearly three-quarters of customers who play social sweeps games never make a purchase, per reporting from SPGA members.
About the Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA): The SPGA and its members are committed to protecting players, promoting responsible innovation, and advocating for clear regulations that allow social sweepstakes games to flourish. By uniting stakeholders under a single banner, we present a unified voice for integrity and responsibility in social and promotional gaming.
For more information about the Social and Promotional Gaming Association and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit our website at thespga.org.
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For more information and any media inquiry: media@thespga.org
