VGW’s games allow players to win free or extended playing time, which is a thing of value under Alabama law.” “Such games violate Alabama law if a patron pays money for the chance to win anything of value. “Defendants make available online games and applications across multiple platforms that are illegal games of chance, and thus gambling, under Alabama law,” Ms Seal said in a filing from her lawsuit against VGW. But they also receive bonus “sweeps coins”, which can be redeemable for cash in most parts of the US and Canada.

Customers buy virtual gold coins that allow them to continue to play their games but have no value outside them. VGW says it complies with US law by using a sweepstakes model while holding a gaming licence in Malta. The former, filed in September by Alabama resident Amy Nicole Seal, is seeking the repayment of the vast majority of player losses in the state between 20, which could amount to “millions of dollars” according to court filings. Two cases, in Alabama and Massachusetts, allege that the company is operating illegally. The company, which is focused on North America, operates Chumba Casino, an online game where users play digital poker machines and card games, and LuckyLand Slots.Ĭhumba Casino is one of the major products offered by Virtual Gaming Worlds.

Mr Escalante, 42, has a $3.9 billion fortune according to the Financial Review Rich List, and VGW gave itself a valuation of $3.7 billion when it announced a buyback in March. Virtual Gaming Worlds, the wildly profitable online casino business operated by Perth-headquartered billionaire Laurence Escalante, is facing a concerted push to have its products declared illegal in the United States, its most lucrative market.

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