A federal lawsuit filed in Illinois targets sweepstakes casinos and prop-style daily fantasy sports platforms, with attorney Mark T. Lavery accusing three operators of running unlicensed sports-betting products through alternative formats.
Lavery filed the complaint in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Third Planet Media, which operates Props.com, along with Novig and Dabble Sports. Lavery, an Illinois attorney sometimes described as a gambling statute “bounty hunter,” alleges the defendants operate sports wagering without required authorization.
According to the filing, the platforms allow residents of Illinois and other states to place wagers involving real money while presenting those transactions as sweepstakes entries or no-purchase-necessary coins. The complaint states that picks and props are resolved using actual sporting event outcomes, with prizes redeemable in a manner comparable to cash.
Lavery is seeking recovery of gambling losses under the 1710 Statute of Anne, which permits individuals to pursue repayment of losses tied to illegal gambling. The complaint also seeks treble damages, attorney fees, permanent injunctive relief, and judicial declarations that the defendants operate illegal gambling enterprises.
The filing states that the statute applies in Illinois and other states, including Kentucky and Massachusetts, where similar legal provisions allow players to recover losses from unlawful gambling activity.
The lawsuit addresses platforms that use sweepstakes mechanics or prop-style daily fantasy sports to offer sports-related wagering without licenses. Operators using these formats may face loss-recovery claims, court-ordered restrictions, and related litigation costs.
The filing follows state actions examining daily fantasy sports contests and prop-based products linked to individual sporting outcomes, placing additional attention on how such platforms structure their offerings across multiple jurisdictions.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/12/16/116806-illinois-federal-lawsuit-targets-sweepstakes-betting-platforms
