The founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), Laurence Escalante, has stepped down from his CEO and executive chairman positions after facing charges connected to domestic...
Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) confirmed on July 28, 2026, that it will permanently shut down LuckyLand Slots on September 14, 2026, after operating as one of the most famous sweepstakes casinos for the last 8 years.
According to the company, the shutdown will happen in a gradual process, which will take place over multiple weeks. From August 3, players won’t be able to buy Gold Coin packages, but will still be allowed to use existing Gold and Sweeps Coins, while from August 24, gameplay will fully end. On September 14, prize redemptions will be disabled and access to LuckyLand Slots will be blocked.
In a letter issued to customers, VGW thanked its players and assured that the decision will not impact any of the company’s other brands, which include LuckyLand Casino, Chumba Casino, and Global Poker. For context, VGW first launched LuckyLand Casino in December 2025 to expand the LuckyLand brand, revealing that the company was reviewing the future of LuckyLand Slots as an independent brand.
Additionally, VGW has withdrawn dual-currency products from over 10 U.S. states over the last few years as enforcement action against sweepstakes casinos continued to rise. The news also comes just weeks after VGW founder Laurence Escalante resigned as CEO and Chairman following charges connected to drug offences and domestic violence.
