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Read Full BioSweepstake casino operator VGW’s LuckyLand Slots operations have been hit with a cease-and-desist order from the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
The regulator has accused VGW of “operating illegal online gaming” via slot machine-like offerings.
In an official notice, the DGE wrote that Delaware officials had “concluded that VGW misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings.”
VGW’s LuckyLand: Fresh Cease-and-Desist Order for Slots Operator
The DGE said it had acted with “the support of the Delaware State Lottery.” The regulator wrote that the order came into effect on April 2.
As of this date, it wrote, “Delaware residents can no longer participate in VGW Luckyland’s unlicensed online gaming platforms.”
The regulator said VGW’s offerings violated the Delaware Constitution and the Delaware Penal Code. It also noted that LuckyLand violates the terms of the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act (2012).
The DGE explained: “The DGE and Delaware Lottery emphasize the importance of legal and responsible gaming practices to protect residents. Unregulated gaming poses significant risks, including limited withdrawal options and potential exposure to cybercrime, identity theft, and fraud.”
Delaware Latest State to Crack Down on VGW
The order comes as a fresh blow for VGW, which was served a cease-and-desist order by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency in mid-March this year.
The Maryland regulator claimed that VGW’s websites were operating in the state without a recognized license.
The Australian firm decided to exit Connecticut in October last year after deciding against fighting a similar letter from the state’s own consumer protection group.
The Perth-based VGW also operates the Chumba Casino and Global Poker brands.
Regulator Issues Warning
The DGE, meanwhile, warned that “unauthorized online gaming has become a prime target for schemes where cybercriminals attempt to steal not only your money, but personal information, bank account details, and other personal information.”
The regulator claimed that residents who play “on these unregulated sites” are exposed to “serious risks.” These include “unauthorized transactions” and various types of “fraud.”
The DGE wrote: “Unlike regulated Delaware Casinos, these illegal platforms don’t follow any oversight or consumer protection rules.”
The DGE also claimed that some unregulated websites “can give the false impression that they are legitimate by copying the branding of Delaware Casinos.”
The regulator added: “[Website operators] may employ tactics such as using similar-sounding names, matching logos, and lookalike URLs to appear legitimate. This can make it harder for consumers to tell a legal platform from a fake one.”
In February, the online slots operator Play’n GO announced it had secured an iGaming license to operate in Delaware. The firm entered the market through Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers brand.
Rush Street Interactive secured an operating permit with the Delaware Lottery for an initial five-year period back in January 2024.
The state has the option to extend the length of the deal at a later date.
Per American Gaming Association data published in mid-2024, the total gaming consumer spend increased by 3.1% year-on-year in 2023 in Delaware, with bettors spending over $507 million.
