VGW Holdings to pay New York $8 million in gambling settlement

VGW Holdings Pty. Ltd. has agreed to pay an $8 million settlement to the state of New York following allegations of operating illegal online gambling platforms. The settlement involves VGW's brands, including Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots.

New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that the sweepstakes casinos posed a threat to the financial and mental health of residents. While the platforms operated by offering virtual coins redeemable for prizes, an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office determined that these coins were provided on a transactional basis, where players received one virtual coin for every dollar spent.

The legal action follows a cease-and-desist order issued in June 2025 and a December 2025 bill signed by Governor Kathy Hochul that outlawed sweepstakes gaming in the state. VGW had been operating its various brands in New York since 2012.