VGW Holdings: who it is and what it owns

Perth-based company that built the dual-currency sweepstakes model with Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker. Founder Laurence Escalante took full ownership in 2025 (deal valued at about A$3.2bn). It has pulled sweeps play from a growing list of states and left Canada in 2025, and faces state lawsuits.

Ownershipprivate (Laurence Escalante via family office; minority buyout approved 2025)
HeadquartersAU
Gambling brands3 gambling brands · 3 websites in total
Operating companies4
Regulator fines5
Last checked14 Oct 2026

Gambling brands of VGW Holdings

NameWebsiteLicensesOwner proof
Chumba Casinochumbacasino.comverified
LuckyLand Slotsluckylandslots.comverified
Global Pokerglobalpoker.comverified

Operating companies and licenses

CompanyWhereLicenses
VGW Holdings LimitedAU
VGW Malta LimitedMT
VGW Games LimitedMT
VGW GP LimitedMT

Regulator fines

DateRegulator / courtAmountReason
2026-09New York Attorney GeneralUSD 8,000,000Settlement (disgorgement, penalties, costs) over illegal online gambling in NY 2012-2025; no admission; Gold Coin play only going forward. source
2026-08-19Florida Attorney General—Lawsuit alleging illegal gambling and deceptive trade practices; seeks penalties, restitution and an injunction. source
2026-06-17Kentucky Attorney General—Lawsuit in Franklin Circuit Court alleging the dual-currency model is illegal gambling; seeks to stop operations. source
2025-06-06New York Attorney General—Among 26 sweepstakes sites told to stop; all agreed to end sweeps coin sales in NY. source
2024-01-18MI MGCB—Cease-and-desist (letter dated Dec 5 2023) for offering unlicensed online gambling in Michigan; VGW withdrew. source

Sources