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State of Play
- VGW has announced the phased shutdown of its sweepstakes casino play in West Virginia, affecting platforms such as Chumba Casino and Global Poker.
- This decision comes as increasing regulatory pressure leads to the exit of sweepstakes-style gaming in multiple US states, signaling a tightening landscape for operators and players alike.
- West Virginia now joins a growing list of states restricting the use of Sweeps Coins at sweepstakes casinos.
VGW will discontinue its dual-currency sweepstakes casino model in West Virginia. The shutdown will occur in stages:
- As of Nov. 11, players can no longer acquire Sweeps Coins through bonuses, purchases, or mail requests.
- Promotional use of Sweeps Coins ends by Nov. 18.
- All redemption of these coins ceases on Nov. 25. After this date, any remaining Sweeps Coins will lose all value.
While Sweeps Coin play ends, Gold Coin play remains active, allowing players continued access to free-to-play games without cash-equivalent prizes.
VGW cited regulatory and compliance challenges – the same obstacles all sweepstakes casinos are facing across the US – as key factors influencing this decision and emphasized efforts to ensure a smooth transition for players in West Virginia.
West Virginia online casinos are one of four legalized markets in the US to offer a diverse market of operators. The state joins Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for real-money online casinos with a diverse lineup of online operators. The other three states, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island, permit only a limited number of casinos to operate.
Sweeps are being forced out of markets
VGW operates Chumba Casino, Luckyland Casino, and Global Poker.
The move by VGW reflects growing scrutiny from state regulators who question the distinction between Sweeps Coins and real-money gambling. Several states have passed laws or taken regulatory actions to ban or limit sweepstakes-style gaming, citing the model’s similarity to traditional gambling and concerns about legal loopholes.
Operators like VGW are responding by withdrawing from jurisdictions with increasing enforcement, impacting player access and market availability. The sweepstakes casino operator has withdrawn from multiple states, including New York and New Jersey. New Jersey has a full ban on sweepstakes casinos.
The sweepstakes gaming industry is likely to face continued regulatory challenges nationwide. With states like California banning such games and others strengthening legal oversight, more operators may scale back or exit markets.
Based on reporting by Sudhanshu Ranjan for SiGMA News.
