VGW Exits New York: Chumba, Luckyland & Global Poker Affected
Sweepstakes casinos like Chumba, Luckyland, and Global Poker are shutting down in New York. The company behind them, VGW Holdings, has confirmed it’s pulling out of the state as lawmakers move closer to banning this type of gaming entirely.
If you play on any of these platforms and live in New York, here’s what you need to know—and what to do next.
Why Is VGW Pulling Out of New York?
VGW has started emailing players to announce that it will wind down all sweepstakes casino operations in New York.
“After careful consideration, we’ve decided to phase out sweepstakes promotions in the state of New York,” a company spokesperson said. “We know this may be disappointing for many, but it’s a decision we had to make.”
The reason? A new bill—SB 5935—is making its way through the New York Senate. If passed, it would ban sweepstakes casinos outright, stopping companies like VGW from offering cash prize games through legal workarounds.
Key Dates You Shouldn’t Miss
If you’re a player in New York, mark these deadlines:
June 2: You’ll no longer be able to collect Sweeps Coins—not through purchases, not through mail-ins, not at all.
July 2: Any Sweeps Coins you haven’t used will be frozen.
August 1: No more redeeming Sweeps Coins for cash or prizes.
You’ll still be able to play games using Gold Coins, but those don’t come with real-world rewards—they’re for fun only.
What Even Is a Sweepstakes Casino?
If you’ve ever wondered how Chumba or Luckyland worked legally, here’s the short version:
Sweepstakes casinos use a dual currency system:
Gold Coins are just for gameplay.
Sweeps Coins can be used to win real cash prizes under U.S. sweepstakes laws.
This setup allowed platforms like Chumba and Luckyland to legally operate in most U.S. states—even in places where traditional online casinos are banned.
What’s in the New York SB 5935 Bill?
The SB 5935 Bill, introduced by Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr., aims to shut down these “loopholed” platforms. If passed, it would ban companies from operating or promoting sweepstakes-style online casinos and give the New York Gaming Commission and Attorney General the power to go after violators.
Not everyone agrees with the bill, though. The Social and Promotional Games Association (SPGA) says it “doesn’t fix anything” and could create more confusion for players and platforms alike.
VGW’s Final Message to Players
VGW says it’s proud of the community it built over the last decade in North America.
“We know this is a big shift, especially for loyal players. We’re focused on making this transition as smooth as possible.”
They also hinted that they’re open to working with regulators in the future, suggesting that this might not be goodbye forever—just for now.
What Should You Do If You’re a NY Player?
If you’ve got Sweeps Coins in your account, don’t wait:
Use them before July 2 or you’ll lose them.
Redeem any prizes before August 1.
After that, you’ll be limited to Gold Coins only—no more real rewards.
The Bigger Picture: Are Other States Next?
VGW’s exit from New York could signal a shift in how states handle sweepstakes casinos. More local governments are looking closely at platforms that blur the lines between gaming and gambling.
Whether this becomes a trend or remains a New York-only situation is still unclear—but for now, it’s a strong reminder to keep up with your local laws if you play online.