An investigation by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) into VGW Luckyland, Inc. – a subsidiary of the Australian-based VGW Holdings Ltd. – revealed that VGW Luckyland, Inc. was operating illegal online gaming. The platform is also known as Luckyland Slots.
VGW Misrepresented Its Services As A Promotional Sweepstakes
According to the DGE’s official news release, Delaware officials found that VGW “misrepresented its services as a promotional sweepstakes while enabling players to purchase coins for casino-style games, leading to potential cash winnings.”
Although these sweeps operators provide free-to-play games using virtual forms of currency, they also offer real-money games to Delaware residents without a license, which violates the state’s constitution, the Delaware Penal Code, and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012.
After receiving support from the Delaware State Lottery, DGE issued a cease-and-desist order to VGW. Effective April 2, 2025, Delaware residents can no longer participate in VGW Luckyland’s unlicensed online gaming platforms.
Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement Aims To Protect Residents
The DGE released this statement on its website:
“Unregulated gaming poses significant risks, including limited withdrawal options and potential exposure to cybercrime, identity theft, and fraud. Officials caution 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.
“Gaming on these unregulated sites can expose players to serious risks such as unauthorized transactions, identity theft, or other types of fraud. Unlike regulated Delaware Casinos, these illegal platforms don’t follow any oversight or consumer protection rules. Some of these unregulated websites can give the false impression that they are legitimate by copying the branding of Delaware Casinos.”
The DGE also added that such operators can take advantage of gamblers by using “similar-sounding names, matching logos, and lookalike URLs” to appear legitimate.
Sweepstakes Sites Use Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins For Their Currency
Sweepstakes operators use a promotional sweepstakes model rather than a real-money gambling framework.
These casinos offer a chance to participate in online casino games and potentially win prizes. Instead of real money, they use their own form of currency, typically known as Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC).
Delaware is just the latest state to crack down on sweepstakes casinos.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) revealed in a Gaming Oversight Committee hearing on Monday that it has issued 18 cease-and-desist letters to sweepstakes casinos operating in the Keystone State.