VGW to Shut Down Chumba Casino and Global Poker Across Canada

Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), the Australian company behind Chumba Casino and Global Poker, has confirmed it will cease operations in Canada this fall. The move affects thousands of Canadian sweepstakes casino players who use the platforms as an alternative to traditional online casinos and poker rooms.

According to company communications sent to customers, the wind-down will happen in stages. Gold Coin purchases will stop on August 28, with gameplay fully disabled on September 25. Players will still be able to redeem their Sweeps Coin balances until October 23, after which all access will be cut off.

Why Canada Is Being Dropped

VGW has not pointed to a specific legal change in Canada as the reason for the shutdown. Instead, industry analysts say the decision reflects a shift in business strategy.

Canada’s sweepstakes gaming market has always been relatively small compared to the United States, where VGW generates the majority of its revenue. The company is consolidating operations around its most significant and most profitable regions, particularly as it faces rising regulatory challenges in parts of the U.S.

Over the past two years, VGW has already withdrawn from several American states, including New York and Michigan, after regulators raised concerns about how sweepstakes models fit within existing gambling laws. By leaving Canada, VGW eliminates another jurisdiction where its legal framework could face closer scrutiny.

Impact on Canadian Players

For Canadian users, the closure brings an abrupt end to two of the country’s most visible sweepstakes platforms.

Chumba Casino and Global Poker are designed around a virtual currency model, where players purchase Gold Coins for entertainment and receive Sweeps Coins as a bonus. Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for cash prizes, a workaround that allows the sites to operate without traditional gambling licenses.

The exit means Canadian players will lose access to their accounts after October 23. Those with active Sweeps Coin balances are being urged to cash out before the deadline. Any unredeemed funds will be forfeited once the shutdown is complete.

For some, this will be more than an inconvenience. In provinces outside Ontario, where regulated iGaming exists, options for legal online poker and casino play are limited. Many players turned to sweepstakes platforms as a middle ground between social gaming and real-money casinos.

Broader Industry Context

VGW’s departure is part of a larger trend. The sweepstakes model, while popular, sits in a legal grey zone. Operators argue it is a legitimate promotional system, but regulators in both the U.S. and Canada have grown increasingly skeptical.

At the same time, Canada’s gambling landscape is evolving. Ontario has rolled out its regulated iGaming market, attracting major international operators, while other provinces remain tied to state-run lottery corporations. In this environment, sweepstakes sites may have looked less attractive to VGW, both in terms of growth potential and compliance risk.

Player Reaction

Initial reaction from Canadian players has been a mix of frustration and resignation. On forums and social media, users have expressed disappointment about losing access to their favorite online slot games and poker tables. Others are more pragmatic, noting that VGW’s promotions often carried high wagering requirements and strict redemption caps, limiting their appeal.

Some industry watchers say the shutdown could steer players toward regulated alternatives in Ontario or to offshore casinos still accessible across Canada. However, it also highlights the instability that comes with relying on grey-market platforms, where sudden exits are always possible.

Legal and Financial Considerations

While VGW has not publicly framed the move as a regulatory issue, it comes at a time when the company is under increasing legal pressure. In the United States, VGW is facing class-action lawsuits alleging that its sweepstakes model constitutes illegal gambling. Exiting smaller markets like Canada may allow the company to limit exposure and concentrate resources on defending its business in core jurisdictions.

Financially, the Canadian market likely contributed only a fraction of VGW’s estimated multi-billion-dollar annual revenues. For the company, the shutdown may be more about cost-cutting and risk management than lost earnings.

What Happens Next

Canadian players have a short window to redeem their Sweeps Coins and close their accounts. VGW has set October 23 as the final cutoff for redemptions. After that date, balances will be void and accounts will be permanently closed.

For the wider industry, the move reinforces the need for clearer rules around sweepstakes gaming. As more provinces weigh the merits of regulated online gambling, the role of sweepstakes casinos is likely to shrink further.

Final Word

The closure of Chumba Casino and Global Poker in Canada underscores the fragility of grey-market gaming platforms. While they filled a gap for Canadian players seeking alternatives to state-run or regulated casinos, their business model remains vulnerable to both legal challenges and shifting corporate priorities.

For Canadian players, the message is clear: if you have a balance on Chumba or Global Poker, redeem it before October 23, or risk losing it entirely.