Maryland’s gambling regulator has sent new cease-and-desist letters to the sweepstakes sites Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. Both platforms are run by Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW).
Regulators say the sites are offering illegal online gaming in Maryland and have given the operator another short window to respond and outline how it will stop doing business in the state.
Why Maryland Is Targeting These Sweepstakes Sites
The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency oversees legal casinos and sports betting in the state. Officials say VGW has been running Chumba and LuckyLand Slots without a Maryland gaming license, which is required for real-money gambling.
They also stress that the only legal online options in the state right now are sports betting and fantasy sports contests, not online casino-style games.
Maryland first sent cease-and-desist orders to VGW’s sweepstakes brands in March 2025. In those letters, regulators said the sites’ slot and casino-style games met the legal test for “gaming”, even though they use virtual coins and a sweepstakes model.
The new letters to Chumba and LuckyLand Slots are a second warning. They say VGW has failed to fully comply and again give the company about 10 days to acknowledge the notice and address its operations in Maryland.
What This Means for Chumba and LuckyLand Players in Maryland
The fresh cease-and-desist letters tell Chumba and LuckyLand Slots to confirm whether they will keep offering online slots, poker-style games, and sweepstakes in Maryland. The regulator is asking for a clear shutdown date for any illegal offerings if the company agrees to exit.
It also wants more detail on the sites’ games, including how the virtual coins, promotions, and prize redemptions work for state residents.
For players in Maryland, the letters are a warning that these sweepstakes sites are not treated as legal gambling by the state. Even if the apps or websites still load for now, the regulator’s position is that their real-money style play should not be available. If VGW does not comply, officials say that could hurt its chances of ever getting a future license in Maryland.
Players who want to stay on the safe side are being pointed toward regulated sportsbooks and fantasy contests rather than unlicensed casino-style apps.
Part of a Bigger Fight Over Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos like Chumba and LuckyLand try to work around gambling bans by using two types of coins. One is meant for play money, and the other can sometimes be redeemed for cash prizes.
Maryland regulators say that, in practice, this setup still looks like regular online gambling. When players buy packages that include redeemable coins and spin real-style slots, the state sees it as unlicensed casino gaming.
Maryland is not acting in a vacuum. Other states, including Delaware and Michigan, have also moved against sweepstakes casinos or their operators in recent years. Regulators and lawmakers in several places are questioning whether these sites follow state gambling laws.
At the same time, some states are exploring bills that would ban or strictly regulate sweepstakes casinos while continuing to allow legal sportsbooks and lotteries.
For now, the latest action from Maryland shows that sweepstakes operators are under heavy pressure in key U.S. markets. Whether VGW chooses to fully exit the state or fight back, players should expect more changes to where and how they can legally play casino-style games online.
