Summary
- VGW has announced it will fully discontinue its Sweeps Coins gameplay in New York state.
- The shutdown will affect Sweeps Coins; however, players can still use Gold Coins to continue enjoying games for free.
- The latest announcement from a major sweepstakes operator involves the suspension of Sweeps Coins in New York.
VGW, the company responsible for popular sweepstakes platforms like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, has announced that it will discontinue the use of Sweeps Coins in New York. However, it will continue to offer Gold Coins in the state.
Sweeps Coins withdraw from VGW’s NY operations in the coming months
This decision comes in the midst of a nationwide crackdown on the industry, as gambling stakeholders claim that sweepstakes social casinos in the country have been bypassing regulations and offering gambling indirectly and without the required licenses. VGW has strongly refuted these claims, labeling them as misguided, especially as lawmakers, mainstream gambling companies, and trade groups like the American Gaming Association have intensified their opposition. In a statement, VGW announced it would be discontinuing its sweepstakes offerings in the Empire State but assured players they could still enjoy their favorite games for free using Gold Coins. VGW is not the first operator to adopt this approach amid regulatory challenges. Other operators such as High 5 Casino, MrLuck, Funzpoints, and HelloMillions have also taken similar actions. Despite the challenges, VGW remains determined and sees the increased interest in the innovative sector that allows millions of Americans to enjoy a variety of games. The company is committed to developing modern and suitable regulatory frameworks that benefit both players and states. Recently, VGW established the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), an organization aimed at promoting accurate information about sweepstakes social casinos and countering mainstream gambling companies' claims that sweepstakes offer unregulated gambling products.
Phased withdrawal of Sweeps Coins, with players having time by August 1 to redeem
Starting June 2, players in New York will no longer be able to collect their daily Sweeps Coins. However, any Sweeps Coins remaining in their balances can be used until July 2, when the company will completely cease all sweeps gameplay. Players with unredeemed Sweeps Coins after this period will no longer be able to use them for gaming but will have an additional month to redeem their prizes. On August 1, the Sweeps Coins will become entirely unusable. VGW has already withdrawn from states with strict regulations against the industry, such as Washington, Montana, Michigan, Nevada, Delaware, and Connecticut.
