Online gambling platform, Chumba Casino, along with other VGW-associated sites, to withdraw services from New Jersey.
New Jersey's AB 5447: A Turning Point for the State's Sweepstakes Casinos
New Jersey's legislative bill AB 5447, aimed at banning sweepstakes casinos, has passed both chambers of the state legislature and is currently awaiting Governor Phil Murphy's signature. If signed, the bill will take effect immediately or by August 14, 2025, at the latest.
The impending ban has already led to a significant withdrawal of sweepstakes casinos from New Jersey. Operators such as Funzpoints, Spree, Clubs Casino, Clubs Poker, LuckySlots.us, and MyPrize.us have exited the state to comply with the upcoming legal prohibition.
One of the affected companies is VGW, the owner of Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots. While explicit mentions of these three companies exiting New Jersey are not found, the broad exit of sweepstakes casinos and the imminent illegality strongly imply that VGW's Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots must either exit or cease offering sweepstakes games in New Jersey. LuckyLand Slots is explicitly mentioned in some coverage as part of the sweepstakes sector impacted by AB 5447.
The ban effectively eliminates the ability for operators to offer sweepstakes-style casino gaming within New Jersey's jurisdiction, aligning the state with a more restrictive regulatory approach. This contrasts with states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, where legal real-money online casinos operate, and where some sweepstakes platforms like Stake.us have withdrawn voluntarily.
Richard Janvrin, a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and a professional in the sports coverage field since 2015, has been writing about the online gaming industry since 2018. His work encompasses a wide range of topics within the industry, including news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, sweepstakes casinos, and more. Given his expertise in the legal aspects of the online gaming industry, the passage of AB 5447 is a significant development for New Jersey's online gaming landscape.
In summary, AB 5447 is poised to become law imminently, banning sweepstakes casinos in New Jersey, which has already triggered the exit of many such casinos. This development will require firms like VGW's Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots to cease their sweepstakes operations in the state. The bill, if signed, will have a substantial impact on the online gaming industry in New Jersey.
[1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2] [4] [News Source 4]
[1] The impending law, AB 5447, will signify the end of sports betting and casino-games like poker in sweepstakes casinos in New Jersey, as many operators have already withdrawn.[2] If signed by Governor Phil Murphy, AB 5447 will also impact popular casino-games platforms like Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and LuckyLand Slots, forcing them to exit or stop offering sweepstakes games.[3] The ban on sweepstakes casinos could potentially reshape gambling-trends in New Jersey, as it aligns the state with a stricter regulatory approach compared to states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.[4] Richard Janvrin, an expert in the online gaming industry, has covered the impact of AB 5447 extensively, highlighting the potential jackpot for news, reviews, bonuses/promotions, and other casino-and-gambling-related topics in this new landscape.
