VGW sweepstakes sites such as Chumba Casino, which operates in New Jersey, will start its planned phase out of the use of Sweeps Coins on the 29th of July. Meanwhile, customers can still use their Gold Coins on LuckyLand Slots, Global Poker, and Chumba Casino for social play.

New Jersey players of popular social casino platforms Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots are preparing for big changes. VGW, the Australia-based owner and operator of the three sweepstakes casino brands, has announced it will begin phasing out the use of Sweeps Coins in New Jersey starting on the 29th of July, in response to pending legislation aimed at banning online sweepstakes gambling in the state.

VGW shared the news via email to its New Jersey user base, outlining a three-phase timeline that will culminate in the complete removal of sweepstakes play in the state by the 24th of September. The email acknowledged potential disappointment among players but emphasized that the decision was a measured business move influenced by regulatory changes.

The phase-out timeline

VGW's rollout of the New Jersey exit begins on the 29th of July, when players will no longer be able to earn Sweeps Coins through contests, login rewards, or purchases of Gold Coins. Additionally, requests for Sweeps Coins by mail will no longer be accepted. Players will, however, be able to use any Sweeps Coins already in their accounts for a limited time.

The second stage hits on August 26, when Sweeps Coins will no longer be valid for gameplay. Mail-in requests submitted on or after this date will not be processed, although players can still redeem any remaining Sweeps Coins for prizes.

By September 24, all Sweeps Coin redemptions will cease, marking the official end of VGW's sweepstakes operations in New Jersey. "While Promotional Play will no longer be available," VGW stated, "you'll still be able to enjoy all your favorite games in Standard Play using Gold Coins."

AB5447 prompts statewide shake-up

VGW's exit from New Jersey is a direct response to Assembly Bill 5447, legislation passed on June 30 by the New Jersey legislature that prohibits online sweepstakes casinos. While Governor Phil Murphy has yet to sign the bill, it is expected to become law through signature or pocket approval by August 14.

The bill specifically targets casino-style games offering redeemable or cash-equivalent prizes through sweepstakes promotions. Sweeps Coins fall squarely within that definition. In contrast, Gold Coins - which cannot be redeemed for real-world value - remain legal under the new law, enabling VGW to continue offering social gaming in the state.

VGW among several operators exiting NJ market

VGW's gradual exit follows a broader trend. Other sweepstakes operators, such as Spree and Funzpoints, have already withdrawn entirely from New Jersey - including both sweeps and social gameplay. Before them, Clubs Casino, LuckySlots.us, and Clubs Poker also exited the state.

Certain operators, like High 5 Casino and Stake.us, departed from not only New Jersey but also other regulated states like West Virginia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Their rationale: avoiding overlap with real-money online casinos.

States with Gold Coin-only access growing

Once the New Jersey phase-out is complete, VGW will add the state to its growing list of Gold Coin-only jurisdictions. These include Connecticut, Louisiana, Delaware, Michigan, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Washington, and New York.

Notably, states like New York, Connecticut, and Montana also passed legislation in 2024 and 2025 outlawing sweepstakes-based gameplay. VGW halted Sweeps Coin access in New York in May, just days before the bill was passed there - a swifter exit compared to its New Jersey schedule.

While VGW's Sweeps Coin operations in New Jersey are ending, the company isn't entirely pulling out of the state. It holds a 13.9% stake in the parent company of Jackpot.com, a regulated lottery courier service. This allows VGW to maintain a small but legal revenue stream in the state, even as its core sweepstakes gaming model disappears.