Online sweepstakes casinos, including those operated by Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), are illegal gambling businesses that have evaded regulation for years. VGW, and all other online sweepstakes casinos, copied the business model of brick-and-mortar “sweepstakes cafés.” In the early 2010’s prosecutors and regulators across the United States shut down sweepstakes cafés for violating gambling laws. But, despite knowing of their own illegality, online sweepstakes casinos have chosen to operate and break the law.
Laurence Escalante, the founder of VGW, is now a multibillionaire thanks to his brazen illegal conduct.
Escalante’s VGW, and other online sweepstakes casinos, profit handsomely from these unlicensed gambling operations that have no consumer protections, regulatory oversight, or legal authorization.
However, the industry is beginning to face serious legal challenges. In 2022, VGW was sued in the state of Kentucky – for operating an illegal gambling business – and paid an $11.75 million settlement. Now, VGW and other illegal sweepstakes casinos are facing numerous civil lawsuits across the country as state governments and private litigants take action. Fair Gaming Advocates (FGA) is at the forefront of this legal push. FGA works to hold illegal sweepstakes casinos accountable for their actions. FGA supports litigation efforts and educates the public about the risks of these platforms.
The era of online sweepstakes casinos operating in the shadows may soon be coming to an end.
About Fair Gaming Advocates
At Fair Gaming Advocates we promote integrity and fairness in gaming. We achieve this through education, guidance, and legal action to protect consumers from deceptive and illegal gambling businesses.
About VGW and Laurence Escalante
VGW is an illegal gambling operation that pioneered the illegal online sweepstakes casino business model. VGW operates Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker; VGW is the world’s largest operator of illegal online sweepstakes casinos. Laurence Escalante, an ostentatious and controversial gambling billionaire, founded VGW in 2010 and has illegally earned billions of dollars since its inception.