Chumba Casino and Other VGW Sites to Leave New Jersey

Virtual Gaming Worlds, the owner of Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, has made it official: It's closing down sweepstakes operations in the state. 

This past week, the company sent out emails that said it would begin "phasing out" Sweeps Coins options starting July 29. 

All games using Gold Coins are still available. 

“We understand this news may be disappointing,” the email said, “and want to assure you that this decision wasn’t made lightly — it was carefully considered based on several business factors.”

An Overview of the Process

Here's how everything will shake out: 

• July 29: Players can no longer earn Sweeps Coins from any source, including contests, purchases, login bonuses, and more. 
• August 26: Sweeps Coins are no longer accepted for gameplay, and all mail-in requests for coins will not be processed. Redemption will still be available. 
• September 24: Redemptions no longer allowed at Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker.

“While Promotional Play will no longer be available,” the email reads, “you’ll still be able to enjoy all your favorite games in Standard Play using Gold Coins.”

This means that New Jersey will be added to a long list of states in which VGW sweepstakes casinos only allow for Gold Coins play. The other states are Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. 

Assembly Bill 5447

This news comes after Assembly Bill 5447 was passed, which outlawed sweepstakes casinos. It was passed on June 30. 

It has yet to be signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy, but it's expected to become law.

He has 45 days to sign or veto the bill. If that time elapses with no decision, it could still pass with a pocket approval. 

The 45th day is August 14. 

Once it becomes law, it takes effect immediately.

Other platforms, such as Funzpoints and Spree, have also added the state to their list of excluded states. However, those were complete withdrawals, not just sweepstakes. 

Many other sites have also left, including Stake.us, High 5, Club Casino, Clubs Poker, LuckySlots.us, and others. 

New Jersey's bill has a section which reads, “... a virtual facsimile thereof, that can be exchanged, sold, or redeemed, either directly or indirectly through means such as a third-party marketplace, external service, or cash-out function, for cash, a cash equivalent, or merchandise.”

So, in essence, Gold Coin play is OK, but Sweeps Coins play isn't. 

VGW Owns Other Gaming Outlets

In addition to keeping Gold Coin play in New Jersey, VGW is involved in the state in another way. 

It holds a 13.9% stake in 99Dynamics, the owner of Jackpot.com, a lottery courier app. 

This is a regulated form of gaming. 

Starting July 29, VGW will utilize Gold Coin play at its sweepstakes casinos and Jackpot.com as revenue sources in the Garden State.