Publishers Clearing House (PCH), once a household name for its iconic sweepstakes and surprise door visits, has been acquired by ARB Interactive, a Miami-based social gaming company known for operating Modo Casino. The deal, valued at $7.1 million in cash plus $378,000 in liabilities, marks a bold move by ARB to expand its digital footprint in the sweepstakes gaming space.
Originally founded in 1953, PCH built its legacy through magazine subscriptions and multi-million dollar sweepstakes that became legendary thanks to the Prize Patrol. However, the company’s fortunes faded, especially after a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) crackdown in 2022. The FTC accused PCH of deceptive marketing practices — using “dark patterns” to make consumers believe buying more increased their winning chances. As a result, PCH paid $18.5 million in settlements and agreed to overhaul its operations.
The new owner, ARB Interactive, sees value in revitalizing PCH’s legacy. CEO Patrick Fechtmeyer stated that the company is ready to “deliver an experience that honors the brand’s past while earning the trust of today’s players.”
Modo Casino, ARB’s flagship product, is a social casino platform that allows users to play for entertainment using a digital currency called Sweeps Coins. These tokens, while not real money, can be redeemed for cash prizes — a model that has drawn both interest and controversy. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and John Daly have been used in Modo’s branding.
However, social sweepstakes casinos are facing increasing scrutiny. Regulators and lawmakers across multiple U.S. states argue that these platforms may violate gambling laws, as they blur the line between entertainment and real-money gaming. Several cease-and-desist orders and new legislative actions have targeted such models.
By acquiring the widely recognized PCH brand, ARB could lend more legitimacy to Modo and similar ventures. However, the company must tread carefully, as public trust in PCH was already eroded by the FTC findings — especially among elderly and low-income consumers who were disproportionately affected.
With a strategy focused on mobile-first gameplay, interactive features, and sweepstakes-based rewards, ARB is betting big on redefining digital sweepstakes in the U.S.
