Online gaming company VGW officially announces discontinuation of Sweep Coins in Mississippi and New Jersey states.
In a move that could significantly impact the online gaming industry, Sweep Coins, a popular method of wagering in sweepstakes casinos, are facing bans or are in the process of being banned in both New Jersey and Mississippi.
In New Jersey, a bill (A5447) has advanced through the state Assembly and Senate, proposing to prohibit the sweepstakes model of wagering. If signed by Governor Phil Murphy, the bill will make sweepstakes casinos illegal in the state. The governor has 45 days from June 2025 to act on the bill, after which it will become law on August 14, 2025.
The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGFA) has opposed A5447, arguing that it would suppress innovation, kill jobs, and lessen the state's competitive edge. Notably, some operators have already started leaving New Jersey in anticipation of the ban.
Mississippi, too, is tightening its regulatory environment. Legislators in the state have been gathering momentum to pass bills that would ban online sweepstakes casinos entirely. As of March 2025, this reflects increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, tribal leaders, and trade groups opposing unregulated sweepstakes gambling.
Australian-based sweepstake casino and social games operator VGW, which operates brands like Chumba Casino, Luckyland Slots, and Global Poker, has suspended the Sweep Coins system in both New Jersey and Mississippi. The company previously took a similar solution in New York due to an intensifying crackdown against the sector.
In Mississippi, players have been given a deadline to redeem their Sweep Coins by September 4, 2025, and the currency will no longer be usable after August 14, 2025. In New Jersey, the Sweep Coins won't be able to be used after August 29, 2025, and the deadline for redeeming the currency is set at September 24, 2025.
The suspension in both states was prompted by regulatory actions. In Mississippi, the move was prompted by a cease-and-desist letter from the local regulator. VGW communicated this change to consumers and registered players in both states via an email statement, stating that the decision was carefully considered based on several business factors.
This regulatory crackdown on sweepstakes casinos nationwide reflects concerns about unregulated and unconstitutional gambling with sweepstakes models, and it is likely that other states will follow New Jersey and Mississippi's lead in the coming months.
| State | Status of Sweep Coins (Sweepstakes Casinos) | Legislative/Regulatory Actions | |-------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | New Jersey | Likely ban imminent; bill A5447 advanced to prohibit sweepstakes wagering | Bill advanced; awaiting governor's signature; operators exiting[1][2]| | Mississippi | Bill proposed to ban online sweepstakes casinos; ongoing legislative scrutiny | Momentum for ban gathering as of early 2025[1][2] |
Sources: [1] New Jersey Online Casino [2] Mississippi Today
- The ban on Sweep Coins, a popular method of wagering in sweepstakes casinos, is imminent in New Jersey, as the bill A5447 has advanced and operators are already leaving the state in anticipation, following a likely signature from Governor Phil Murphy.
- The regulatory environment in Mississippi is also tightening, with legislators gathering momentum to pass bills that would ban online sweepstakes casinos, such as Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots, posing a challenge to the technology-driven gambling industry.
