unlawfulcharges.comHow the "sweepstakes casino" model works
VGW operates Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, online casino-style games in which players buy virtual Gold Coins with real money and receive Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash and prizes. The games are slots and other casino staples; the wagering is real money in and real money out. The "sweepstakes" framing — you technically buy coins and "win" redemptions — is what the platforms rely on to operate in states that have never licensed them to offer casino gambling.
Players say an unlicensed casino does not stop being a casino because the chips have two names.
The question: unlicensed gambling, sold as legal
Players say VGW's platforms are unlicensed gambling operations that tell players the games are lawful sweepstakes in states whose gambling laws say otherwise. The sweepstakes-casino model has drawn growing scrutiny from state regulators.
The legality question matters because it is the trigger for a very old kind of consumer remedy: the gambling loss-recovery law.
Loss-recovery laws: money lost in illegal gambling can be demanded back
Many states have laws, some dating back more than a century, that let a person who lost money in unlawful gambling sue to recover those losses. Some states allow recovery of more than the amount lost. On top of loss recovery, state consumer protection laws reach the marketing itself — selling an unlicensed gambling product as a legal one — and can add damages set by law, the return of money taken unlawfully, and attorney's fees.
The measure of a player's core claim is simple: what you paid in, minus what you cashed out.
What you could recover
A player's recovery starts with net losses — the amount paid in minus the amount cashed out — and state law can add to it. Some loss-recovery laws allow more than the amount lost, and consumer protection laws can add damages and fees. In the illustration shown on this page, a player who paid in $2,000 over a year and cashed out $250 has $1,750 in net losses before anything state law adds.
Every state's law is different, and what applies depends on where you played from — that is part of what our review of your claim determines.
Do you qualify?
You may have a claim if you bought Gold Coins on Chumba Casino or LuckyLand Slots with real money and lost more than you redeemed — particularly if you played from a state that does not license online casino gambling. Useful records include your purchase history, your redemption history, and the email address on your VGW account; the platforms' own records document every transaction.
Maginnis Howard represents players in these claims, and there is no fee unless money is recovered for you. Start with the short questionnaire on this page to see whether your losses qualify.
The legal basis
Why this may be illegal
VGW operates Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, online casino-style games where players buy Gold Coins with real money and receive Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash and prizes. Players say that is online casino gambling, offered under a sweepstakes label in states that never licensed it. Many states let a person recover money they lost to gambling that was not authorized where they live, and state consumer protection laws reach a business that sells an unlawful service as a lawful one. Maginnis Howard is investigating how Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots sell their coin packages and what players have lost on them.
The law
Many states allow a person to recover money they lost to gambling that was never licensed or authorized in their state. Separately, state consumer protection laws reach a business that markets a service as lawful when it is not. Whether a claim is available, and what can be recovered, depends on the state where the player lives — some states allow recovery of the full amount lost, and some allow more.
How your claim would be handled
Claims like this are handled as individual arbitration cases — private proceedings, no courtroom. For VGW (Chumba Casino / LuckyLand Slots), cases are typically administered through JAMS.
What You Paid In* vs. What You Got Back Out*
| What You Paid In* (Chumba Casino / LuckyLand Slots Gold Coin purchases · one player, one year, in a state that does not license online casino gambling) | $2000.00 |
| What You Got Back Out* (The gap is your loss — and a number of states let a player recover money lost to unlicensed online gambling) | $250.00 |
Figures shown are illustrative examples, not records of an actual transaction; your amounts may differ.
Think you're affected? Check if you qualify and sign up in about two minutes — no upfront cost.
Check if you qualifyFrequently asked questions
What is this investigation about?
Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots sell Gold Coins for real money and give players Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for cash and prizes. We are investigating whether that is unlicensed online casino gambling in states that never authorized it, and whether the way it is marketed misleads players about its legality.
I played both Chumba and LuckyLand. Can I include both?
Yes. Both are run by the same company, VGW. Tell us what you spent and what you got back on each, and we will review them together.
Does it matter which state I live in?
Yes, and it is the single biggest factor. These claims are brought under state law, and the states differ on whether a player can recover gambling losses and on how much. We confirm your state with you when we review your claim, and tell you where you stand.
How is my claim filed?
These claims are filed as individual arbitrations. Your claim is pursued in your own name rather than folded into a group case. We handle the filing and the paperwork for you.
I do not have records of what I spent. Can I still sign up?
Yes. Give us your best estimate and the email address on your account. Purchase history is something we can work on obtaining as the claim develops.
What does this cost me?
Nothing upfront. We are paid a percentage only if we recover money for you.
What clients say
The entire process with Maginnis Howard was effortless. All our communication was by email and only a few phone calls. Any calls or emails were answered very promptly. I would like to thank Ian and Maginnis Howard. I will highly recommend any dispute that includes an Arbitration Agreement, there could no be a better Firm to represent you!
Ian is an excellent communicator who knows how to work with these companies to obtain a resolution and get you the best settlement offer possible. I highly recommend Ian and the Maginnis Howard law firm for anyone navigating the arbitration process.
I'm very grateful for his representation and the result we achieved. If you're facing arbitration and feel overwhelmed or unsure of your rights, I highly recommend Ian Vance and Maginnis Howard. They know how to handle these cases and fight for their clients.
Related investigations
unlawfulcharges.com is operated by Maginnis Howard, a consumer-protection law firm.