Industry
August 4, 2025
AGA Report Reveals 90% Players See Sweepstakes as Gambling
A new American Gaming Association (AGA) study finds that the vast majority of sweepstakes casino players view the activity as gambling. In addition, the spending habits and demographics of said players closely mirror those of real-money iGaming users. AGA Study Finds Majority of Players See No Difference Between Sweepstakes and Gambling Based on Sensor Tower […]
Business
August 4, 2025
Escalante to Complete VGW Ownership as Shareholders Approve $2.1B Takeover
Laurence Escalante, founder of sweepstakes powerhouse Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), has inched closer to acquiring the entirety of the company as shareholders have approved his latest offer. With this, the company prepares to go private. Shareholders Gave the Thumbs Up to Escalante’s Latest Proposal VGW, which runs Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots, has […]
Industry
July 29, 2025
VGW to End Sweepstakes Model in Mississippi and New Jersey
The Australia-based sweepstakes operator Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) announced that its brands Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Global Poker will eliminate their dual currency system in Mississippi and New Jersey. This means that the company will effectively transition the business to operate more like a traditional social casino. VGW Is Phasing Out Sweepstakes Coins in […]
Industry
July 15, 2025
Several Associations Join SPGA’s Fight Against California’s AB 831
The Social & Promotional Games Association (SPGA), a body promoting regulated sweepstakes, announced that several organizations have joined its fight against California’s Assembly Bill 831. If passed, the measure would ban sweepstakes gaming in the state, putting an end to the local sweeps industry. SPGA Says the Current Form of AB 831 Is Unclear According […]
Casino
July 14, 2025
VGW Starts Charging Sales Tax as Legal Pressure Grows in Sweepstakes Market
Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), which runs sweepstakes casino sites Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots, has started to add sales taxes to what users buy on its platforms. This change happens as the company deals with more regulatory oversight in the United States, where lawmakers are paying closer attention to the sweepstakes gaming industry. […]
Industry
July 9, 2025
California Bill Causes a Stir Over Sweepstakes Gaming Ban
California is seeing a heated argument about Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831), a new plan to outlaw online sweepstakes-style games in the state. Assemblymember Avelino Valencia introduced the bill, which has faced strong pushback from digital gaming supporters. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) has become one of the loudest voices against this proposal. […]
Industry
June 18, 2025
New York’s Anti-Sweepstakes Bill Passes Assembly by a Landslide
New York has taken decisive action against sweepstakes as the State Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would prohibit such products in the state. As the measure stands on the verge of passing, sweeps proponents are counting on Governor Kathy Hochul to veto the bill. Senate Bill 5935 Is on the Verge of Passing into […]
Industry
June 17, 2025
Connecticut Becomes Second State to Outlaw Online Sweepstakes Casinos
With the stroke of a pen, Governor Ned Lamont has made Connecticut the latest state to crack down on sweepstakes casinos. Senate Bill 1235, signed into law Wednesday, formally ends online sweepstakes casinos in the state. The legislation, which passed just one day before the end of the 2025 legislative session, goes into effect on […]
Industry
June 13, 2025
Louisiana Gov. Smothers Anti-Sweepstakes Bill, Says Illegal Gaming Is Being Tackled
Governor Jeff Landry has vetoed a bill that sought to ban sweepstakes casinos in the state of Louisiana. According to him, the measure addressed a problem that is already being taken care of, and in a way that could have led to legal complications. The US Pushes Back Against the Proliferation of Sweepstakes With Governors […]
Casino
June 9, 2025
New York Closes 26 Unlicensed Sweepstakes Casinos
New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a major crackdown that has an impact on 26 online platforms offering what officials consider illegal gambling through so-called sweepstakes casinos. These platforms allowed users to buy virtual coins and use them to play casino-style games with the chance to cash out winnings. They have now stopped […]
