VGW is a popular sweepstakes operator, running platforms such as Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots. However, the company has decided to shut down LuckyLand Slots. It will be a phased shutdown, starting on August 3rd and ending on September 14th, allowing users some time to redeem their rewards. The goal for VGW here is to focus on its other brands. VGW has started informing players of the shutdown. …
Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) founder Laurence Escalante has resigned as CEO and chairman of the company, ending his leadership of one of the largest sweepstakes casino operators amid ongoing criminal proceedings in Australia. His departure comes as VGW continues navigating increased regulatory scrutiny of the sweepstakes gaming industry. Laurence Escalante’s resignation takes effect immediately after he has been on leave from the company since January. VGW said his departure is …
With Indiana’s sweepstakes casino ban now in effect following the July 1 deadline, additional operators have exited the state or modified their offerings to comply with the new law. The latest departures include MyPrize and Blazesoft’s network of sweepstakes casinos. However, Utech Solutions has pivoted to a different approach as they try to remain in the Indiana market. The following sweepstakes casino operators have either exited Indiana or significantly changed …
Several sweepstakes casino operators are preparing to leave Iowa ahead of Senate File 2289, a new state law that expands the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s authority to pursue enforcement against unlicensed gambling operators. While the legislation does not explicitly ban sweepstakes casinos, operators like High 5 Casino have already announced plans to exit the market before the law takes effect on July 1. The following sweepstakes casinos are leaving …
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has filed a lawsuit against VGW, alleging the company operates illegal online gambling platforms in the state through its sweepstakes casino brands. The state claims VGW sites violate Kentucky gambling and consumer protection laws. The lawsuit includes other platforms as well. The lawsuit centers on VGW’s sweepstakes casino business model, which Kentucky alleges functions as unlicensed online gambling despite being marketed as promotional sweepstakes. According …
Indiana is set to implement a statewide prohibition on sweepstakes casinos beginning July 1, 2026. The change stems from House Bill 1052, which eliminates the dual-currency model commonly used by these platforms. Under that structure, players typically use virtual coins and promotional currency that can be redeemed for prizes, a setup regulators have increasingly scrutinized. State lawmakers moved to classify these systems as unlawful gaming activity when offered to Indiana …
Several sweepstakes casino operators have started withdrawing from Indiana and Maine, including Modo.us, McLuck, Hello Millions, Jackpota, Mega Bonanza, PlayFame, SpinBlitz, Baba Casino, and ACE Casino. Both states became the first to ban sweepstakes casinos during the 2026 legislative session. Sweepstakes casino operators have not followed a singular approach when exiting Indiana and Maine, with many platforms implementing staggered shutdown timelines tied to each. Instead of immediate departures, several companies …
The landscape of sweepstakes casinos in the US is changing regularly. 2026 has seen several states move to ban brands from operating within their borders while other motions have stalled in the House or Senate of respective juradisctions.
Our team of experts are follow every active bill closely as well as reporting on the current situation across the US and how sweepstakes casinos are adapting their services to meet the needs of players.
