Virtual Gaming Worlds has advised customers of a change to its conditions and terms affecting players in Louisiana. The updated rules will limit the access that people in the state have to games on Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Casino websites as of July 17.
From that date forward, Louisianans will only be able to play games on these sites with Gold Coins, losing the option to play with Sweeps Coins. Virtual Gaming World’s decision closely follows an announcement from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board that it sent a cease-and-desist letter to the company regarding its online casino-style games.
VGW announces new policy affecting Louisiana customers
Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) shared its update on July 11, clarifying new rules for people accessing its online casino-style games on Chumba, Global Poker, and Luckyland in Louisiana. An email to Chumba players details the news.
“We are reaching out to let you know about an important upcoming change to our Terms and Conditions for Chumba Casino. From July 17, 2025, we will be phasing out Promotional Play (Sweeps Coins) in the state of Louisiana. While Promotional Play will no longer be available, you’ll still be able to enjoy all your favorite games in Standard Play using Gold Coins.”
The email adds that “effective July 17, 2025, you will no longer be able to collect Sweeps Coins through any method.” As of August 15, 2025, people in Louisiana “will no longer be able to play our games using Sweeps Coins.”
While the email does not mention any specific factors behind this decision, the timing of the move suggests that recent events in Louisiana played a role.
Change in access follows enforcement action
VGW’s email states that “we understand this news may be disappointing, and want to assure you that this decision wasn’t made lightly — it was carefully considered based on several business factors.” Some of those factors emanated from Baton Rouge.
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board announced in June that it sent cease-and-desist letters to 42 parties it deemed to be violating the state’s gambling laws. VGW was among those recipients.
The distribution of those communications closely followed the state legislature approving a bill that would have explicitly banned sweepstakes-based, casino-style online games in the state. While Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed the bill, he expressed his belief that existing statutes in the state already gave gambling regulators and law enforcement all the authority necessary to deter unlicensed gambling.
VGW has chosen to modify access to its games in Louisiana, which may suffice to prevent prosecutors in the state from taking further action. So far, these self-imposed limits have been sufficient to avoid prosecution in other US jurisdictions.
Louisiana update mimics previous actions regarding other places
In May, VGW similarly announced that it would retract the ability of people in New York to enjoy promotional play on its websites. Since June 2, New Yorkers have been unable to acquire new Sweeps Coins, and chances to play with Sweeps Coins in New York expired on July 2.
Similar to Louisiana, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued cease-and-desist letters to multiple recipients, including VGW. The New York legislature has also sent a ban bill to Gov. Kathy Hochul.
James has not taken any further action to date, which might point to VGW’s change satisfying her interest in Chumba, Global Poker, and Luckyland. If the same inactivity occurs in Louisiana, VGW may have found its path forward in such places.
