Sweepstakes Operator Continues Trend of Offering Free Groceries

ARB Interactive, the parent company of Modo Casino and Publishers Clearing House (PCH), has followed prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi in offering free groceries to the public. The company hosted a grocery relief pop-up in Indianapolis on Tuesday and announced it will donate $10,000 to a local food bank.

The event, held at Silos Auto Club, provided $50 grocery gift cards to more than 100 residents in Indiana. In addition, the PCH Prize Patrol gave $2,500 to one local man, Israel Vasquez, who ARB described as a “devoted Indiana University fan.” After being awarded the prize, ARB said that Vasquez shared some of the money with a local family who happened to be passing by the event.

In a press release, Patrick Fechtmeyer, CEO of ARB Interactive, commented, “This was about more than a giveaway; it was about showing up. Whether it is a $10,000 donation to help a local food bank fight against hunger, or meeting our players in person to hand out grocery cards, we wanted to provide tangible relief. Seeing Israel’s generosity moments after winning is exactly the kind of community spirit we’re proud to support.”

Modo Casino posted the campaign on X, claiming, “America’s social casino showed up for America“.

Event Follows Prediction Markets in New York

The PR move of giving away free grocery gift cards may have been prompted by Kalshi and Polymarket offering similar promotions in New York this month. The two prediction market platforms launched “grocery takeovers” in the Big Apple.

The Polymarket bills itself as “New York’s first free grocery store” and is scheduled to be open from February 12 to 16. Similar to ARB, the company also made a donation to food banks, which was more sizable at $1 million.

New York Councilwoman Vickie Paladino said the event was a recipe for chaos. She said that Polymarket “exists on chaos. It’s what makes them tick.”

Kalshi, meanwhile, ran a free grocery giveaway for three hours at Westside Market in New York on February 3. It is unclear which company first had the idea of giving away groceries to generate goodwill.

Community Efforts Come Amid Mounting Legal Scrutiny

ARB’s CEO Fechtmeyer added, “This is one of many community moments we plan to create. We’re proud to support Indianapolis residents directly and look forward to continuing to engage with communities across the country.”

Modo Casino, however, continues to attract negative attention from state regulators. In Indiana, where the grocery giveaway took place, lawmakers are advancing legislation that would see the platform made explicitly illegal.

The bill would allow the Indiana Gaming Commission to impose penalties of up to $100,000 per violation on companies such as Modo. The commission supports the ban on the dual-currency gambling platforms as in the public interest.

Prediction markets have come under similar legal scrutiny, with several states claiming Polymarket and Kalshi are offering unlicensed sports betting. A bill in New York, where the two companies run their grocery promotions, proposes prohibiting them.

Additionally, several users have filed lawsuits against the companies, alleging they are deceiving the public into believing they are legal gambling platforms.

The companies counter that they are operating fairly and legally. ARB states that it “offers transparent, user-focused social games that blend excitement with modern digital innovation, prioritizing regulatory compliance and responsible practices.”