VGW Company

Quick Intro

In light of recent legal shifts, VGW has opted to proactively withdraw its sweepstakes casinos – Chumba, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots – from Michigan. This decision ensures compliance with state laws and aligns with the company’s commitment to safeguard shareholder interests.

Michigan Takes a Stand on Sweepstakes Gaming Sites

September 2023 marked a significant change in Michigan’s stance on sweepstakes gaming, with the Attorney General, Dana Nessel, shutting down the operations of Golden Hearts Casino. VGW, anticipating similar legal challenges, strategically chose to exit the Michigan market to avoid potential legal entanglements.

The withdrawal became official on November 1, 2023, with all three VGW brands updating their Terms and Conditions to include Michigan as a restricted state.

Michigan’s Crackdown on Unregulated Sites

Michigan’s enforcement actions are part of a broader initiative to regulate online gaming sites that have been operating in a gray area of the law. In August 2023, the MGCB proposed new regulations targeting pick’em daily fantasy sports contests, which were enacted on October 11, 2023.

Transition Timeline for Michigan Players

VGW has outlined a transition plan for its Michigan players, ensuring a smooth wind-down of operations with several important dates:

  • As of November 1, 2023, purchases of Gold Coins will cease, but players can continue to use their existing Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The AMOE mail-in method for obtaining free Sweeps Coins will remain operational.
  • By December 1, 2023, gameplay on VGW sites will be halted, and the company will stop accepting requests for free Sweeps Coins. Players can still redeem their Sweeps Coins for cash prizes.
  • The final shutdown is scheduled for February 1, 2024, when all VGW services in Michigan will be discontinued, including the processing of Sweeps Coins for prizes.

This summary not only preserves the crucial dates and maintains the structure but also expands on the context to enhance readability and search engine discoverability, keeping the core topics and details intact.

Final Thoughts

VGW’s preemptive exit from Michigan reflects its strategic approach to changing legal landscapes, prioritizing compliance and shareholder protection. Michigan players of Chumba, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots should be aware of the key dates—November 1, 2023, December 1, 2023, and February 1, 2024—as they mark the phases of service cessation, with opportunities to use remaining coins and redeem prizes before the final shutdown.