VGW has announced it will discontinue its dual-currency sweepstakes model in West Virginia. This change affects players on platforms like Chumba Casino and Global Poker. The move follows a series of regulatory actions in 2025 targeting sweepstakes casinos across the U.S. West Virginia now joins other states where Sweeps Coins are no longer available.
VGW is ending Sweeps Coin play in West Virginia through a phased process. A spokesperson for VGW confirmed to SiGMA News that starting 11 November 2025, players will no longer be able to collect Sweeps Coins through bonuses, purchases, or mail-in requests. By 18 November, the option to use Sweeps Coins for promotional play will be removed, and mail-in requests will stop being processed.
The final step comes on 25 November, when redemption of Sweeps Coins will close. After this date, any remaining coins will have no value. Players are advised to redeem eligible coins before the deadline to avoid losing them.
VGW stated the decision followed careful consideration. The company acknowledged the change may disappoint players but said it aims to make the transition as smooth as possible.
A spokesperson stated to SiGMA News, “Following careful consideration, we can confirm we’ve informed players in West Virginia of a decision to phase out Promotional Play (sweepstakes promotions) in the state across our brands. However, our valued players in West Virginia will still be able to enjoy all their favourite free-to-play games using Gold Coins. We are 100 percent focused on ensuring players are fully informed about the changes and that this transition is as smooth as possible.”
Sweeps Coin play will end, but Gold Coin play remains available. Players can still access games, but prizes tied to Sweeps Coins will no longer be offered. VGW indicated multiple factors, including regulatory and compliance challenges, influenced the decision. Similar pressures are affecting the broader sweepstakes gaming industry.
The company further added, “We understand this is an adjustment after several years of enjoying our industry-leading brands, and some players may be disappointed. This decision wasn’t taken lightly and was made based on a range of factors.”
Sweepstakes casinos use two currencies: Sweeps Coins, which can be exchanged for prizes, and Gold Coins, which are used for entertainment. In states where there was no complete regulation of online casinos, this framework enabled operators to provide casino-style games. Regulators, however, are beginning to wonder if Sweeps Coins are sufficiently different from actual gambling.
State authorities argue that sweepstakes casinos blur legal boundaries, exploit loopholes, and closely resemble real-money gambling. In response, lawmakers and regulators are tightening oversight, with some states taking aggressive action to restrict or ban the model.
VGW’s withdrawal from West Virginia follows similar moves in more than a dozen US jurisdictions over the past year. States where Sweeps Coin play has ended include Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, Michigan, Delaware, Idaho, Nevada, and now West Virginia. Most of these exits occurred within the last year, reflecting growing regulatory pressure on sweepstakes gaming across the country.
Earlier this year, VGW entirely withdrew from the Canadian market. The shutdown affected Chumba Casino and Global Poker players, who lost access to Gold Coin purchases in August, game access in September, and had until 23 October to redeem Sweeps Coins.
The company described the move as a strategic decision, citing Canada’s smaller market size, a US-dominant player base, and the need to allocate resources to higher-value regions.
California recently passed AB 831, a law banning sweepstakes-style gaming effective 1 January 2026. Citing exclusive gaming rights, tribal gaming interests vigorously backed the legislation. Connecticut, Montana, and New York have passed laws explicitly prohibiting sweepstakes casino operations. Other states, including Washington, Mississippi, and Louisiana, have relied on regulatory measures and legal action to push operators out of the market. These moves reflect growing scrutiny of the industry and efforts to close perceived legal loopholes.
#VGW #Sweepstakes #Regulation #iGaming #PlayerProtection #GamingCompliance #USGaming
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