On June 30, the state legislature passed Assembly Bill A5447, which would prohibit games where players pay an entry fee to win prizes. Though Governor Phil Murphy has not yet signed the bill, it will become law via pocket approval on August 14, 2025, if he takes no action.
In anticipation, operators like VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker have begun winding down promotional play for New Jersey customers.
Why Casinos Are Exiting Now
Many sweepstakes casinos operate on a “free play” model, using Sweeps Coins earned through deposits or promotions. Under A5447, this mechanism would be deemed illegal gambling, effectively forcing these businesses out.
Even before the law takes effect, companies fear the risk of operating in a suddenly hostile environment.
- VGW’s Chumba Casino sent emails notifying New Jersey users that, starting July 29, players can no longer earn Sweeps Coins through daily logins, contests, or bonus offers.
- Existing Sweeps Coins remain usable until August 26, after which they can only be redeemed for prizes or cash—not played.
- Promotional play will fully end on September 24, although players may still use gold coins for standard, non-prize games.
By exiting early, operators aim to minimize potential legal exposure and customer confusion. Some brands have already left or paused service as regulators tighten rules across the region.
Who Is Leaving and What Happens Next
Beyond VGW’s brands, over a dozen other sweepstakes sites have ceased New Jersey operations this year.
- Stake.us quietly pulled out in February, joining B-Two Operations Limited, which shuttered McLuck Casino, Hello Millions, Mega Bonanza, Jackpota, PlayFame, and Spinblitz.
- Smaller sites including Baba Casino, Carnival Citi, Funzpoints, Jefebet, Legendz, Modo.us, Moonspin.us, Pulsz Casino & Pulsz Bingo, and Spree have also gone dark in the state.
Interestingly, High 5 Casino originally announced an exit in February but updated its terms on July 23 to remove New Jersey from its restricted list. This shift follows a May settlement with Connecticut regulators and may signal a change in strategy.
However, High 5 still faces a class-action lawsuit in New Jersey over alleged illegal gambling losses, making its future uncertain.
For New Jersey players, the immediate impact is clear: promotional sweepstakes play will soon vanish, and prize-based games will no longer be available. Standard play with purchased gold coins will continue, but without the chance to win real rewards.
As August 14 approaches, customers should review any remaining sweeps balances and plan for the transition. Regulators and legislators will watch closely to see how this market exit affects both player behavior and the broader sweepstakes casino industry in the US.
