VGW, the parent company of Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, has raised the minimum player age from 18 to 21 across the U.S. The move aims to promote safer, more responsible gameplay amid growing legal scrutiny.
In a bold move signaling a shift toward tighter player protections, VGW (Virtual Gaming Worlds)—the company behind popular sweepstakes casinos like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker—has officially increased the minimum player age from 18 to 21 across all U.S. jurisdictions.
This change began rolling out in February 2025, with all under-21 players fully locked out by April 17, 2025. The decision was announced proactively and not triggered by any one regulatory ruling—but it comes in the wake of mounting legal pressures and increased public scrutiny of sweepstakes-style online gambling.
VGW has stated that this move is intended to “create a safer and more responsible gaming environment,” and aligns more closely with age restrictions in regulated casino markets and alcohol laws.
Why It’s Important:
VGW’s move may set a new industry standard for age restrictions in sweepstakes gambling. While most platforms previously allowed 18+ participation, this change sends a message to lawmakers and players that self-regulation is possible, and that major operators are responding to ethical and regulatory concerns before legislation forces their hand.
