Online gaming company VGW forces closure of Chumba Casino and Global Poker platforms in Canada
Virtual Gaming Worlds Exits Canadian Market
Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), the company behind Chumba Casino and Global Poker, has announced a withdrawal from the Canadian market. This decision, made after a thorough review of the market's performance, comes as the company faces increased scrutiny in the US.
The shift in VGW's operations reflects a growing trend among operators, who are increasingly focusing on the US market where sweepstakes gaming brings in about 98% of global revenue. Despite the Canadian market allowing sweepstakes games nationwide, even in Ontario, this move is not due to Canadian rules. Instead, it shows a larger shift as the company deals with more scrutiny in the US.
Canada had steady users for a while, but the market remained small compared to the US, where almost all of VGW's revenue comes from. As a result, VGW plans to put all its efforts and cash into its much larger US player base.
The wind-down process for Chumba Casino and Global Poker in Canada has already begun. Games on these platforms will stop working for Canadian users on September 25, 2022. Canadian players can no longer buy Gold Coins as of August 28, 2022. However, players can cash out any remaining Sweeps Coins until the final day of operation in October.
VGW is working to give players clear details about the timeline and how to cash out before the final shutdown. After the shutdown, no one will be able to log in to Chumba Casino or Global Poker, but VGW will keep user information as required by law.
This move might allow VGW to be more flexible in how it handles its worldwide strategy. The company has reduced its sweepstakes offerings in approximately 12 US states, including New York, New Jersey, and Mississippi, due to regulators questioning the legality of dual-currency sweepstakes systems.
However, the exit from the Canadian market and the recent change in VGW's status from a public to a private company after shareholders bought it out earlier this month, have left some questions unanswered. For instance, the search results do not provide information about the new owner of Virtual Gaming Worlds.
The news has been met with disappointment from Canadian players who have used Chumba and Global Poker for years. On social media, they have expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, marking the end of an era for many. The final shutdown is scheduled for October 23, 2025.
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