Gaming law

Sweepstakes casino operator Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) continues running Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots in Arizona nearly two years after the state's Department of Gaming ordered it to cease operations over alleged illegal gambling. Regulators say VGW's virtual-currency and cash-redemption model constitutes unlicensed gambling despite free-play options; VGW disputes this. No civil or criminal charges have been filed, with officials citing enforcement challenges due to the company's overseas headquarters. VGW has meanwhile donated over $200,000 to Arizona political groups across both parties, including backers of Gov. Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes. The case echoes broader scrutiny of prediction markets Kalshi and Polymarket, which have similarly increased political donations amid state efforts to classify their contracts as gambling.