As state legislatures have discussed sweepstakes casino bans in 2025 and 2026, ARB Interactive has become one of the leading voices for the sweepstakes industry. Earlier this year, a representative for the sweepstakes giant behind Publishers Clearing House and Modo, testified before state lawmakers to promote his own vision for the sweepstakes industry.
Meanwhile, ARB Interactive has become a lobbying force in key US states that may consider sweepstakes casino legislation in the near future.
As the online sweepstakes casino industry consolidated earlier this decade, ARB Interactive became one of the top operators in the niche. When Modo’s parent company won the bid for Publishers Clearinghouse, ARB became the heir to America’s most famous sweepstakes contest.
That meant ARB Interactive had a unique role as state lawmakers began passing sweepstakes casino bans. By necessity, ARB was one of the industry leaders in opposing laws banning dual-currency websites offering real-money rewards.
At the same time, ARB’s CEO and spokesman, Patrick Fechtmeyer, became a proponent of regulation. In what has been called a “state-by-state engagement” effort, ARB Interactive developed a regulatory-based legislative strategy.
The strategy is to pass state-by-state regulations that would modernize the rules for running sweepstakes contests. Some states might ban sweepstakes casinos or require operators to move to a social casino business model.
Others might legalize, regulate, and tax the online sweepstakes casino industry. This would allow individual states to generate revenue from residents’ interest in playing sweepstakes.
To promote the company’s vision, Patrick Fechtmeyer has written op-eds, given print interviews, and appeared on podcasts to discuss the topic.
When Minnesota lawmakers held hearings earlier this year to debate its own sweepstakes casino ban, Mr. Fechtmeyer appeared before the state’s House Public Safety Committee.
Pointing out he was a native of Minnesota, ARB’s spokesman said, “We serve millions of players who are looking for safe, transparent, and entertaining digital experiences. Participation in our sweepstakes is always free with clear alternative methods of entry.”
Pointing out that internet gambling bans have not worked in the past, Fechtmeyer added, “I grew up in the first generation native to the Internet, and one lesson has become very clear. When you try to ban digital behavior that people want, it doesn’t disappear.”
ARB Interactive’s strategy includes more than public policy information. The sweepstakes operator also has lobbied state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that ARB Interactive made a $50,000 contribution to “Friends of Don Harmon for State Senate,” a campaign fund for the reelection of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park).
Also, ARB Interactive is a contributor to “A Stronger Florida,” a long-established political action committee that has supported the reelection of over 3 dozen Florida lawmakers this year.
The list of officials and lawmakers that “A Stronger Florida” has contributed to in the recent past includes Attorney General Ashley Moody (R), Rep. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami), Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami), Rep. Carolina Amesty (R-Windermere), and Rep. Mike Redondo (R-Miami).
It has contributed to the Republican Party of Florida, the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, and Miami-Dade County school board elections. ARB Interactive is only one of the donors to “A Stronger Florida,” but it suggests that the Sunshine State could become a hotbed of debate over the online sweepstakes casino industry in the near future.
