Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
A fresh round of warnings landed in the inboxes of Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots after the Maryland regulator said both platforms still operated without approval in the state. Virtual Gaming Worlds, the parent firm behind both sweepstakes casinos, now faces more pressure to respond after the earlier notice failed to trigger the required changes.
Good to Know
- Maryland only permits online sports betting and fantasy contests
- Recipients of cease and desist notices have 10 days to halt activity
- Both platforms must provide a shutdown date or risk losing eligibility for future licensing
Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency sent a second cease and desist on Tuesday, repeating the concerns it outlined in March. At that time, the regulator said Chumba Casino and Luckyland Slots offered gaming products that fell outside what Maryland law allows. The agency again stressed that online casino-style gambling has no authorization in the state.
The new letter, shared publicly by gaming lawyer Daniel Wallach, pointed directly to the content offered by both brands. He said:
“We have reviewed your site(s) and see that (Lucky Land Slots and Chumba Casino)… offerings contain the elements of gaming.”
177% up to 5BTC + 77 Free Spins!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of 177% + 77 Free Spins
Another sentence followed close behind:
“Under Maryland law, gaming is illegal unless it is expressly authorized. The gaming that is being offered through your site is not legally authorized in Maryland.”
The regulator asked VGW to acknowledge receipt of the previous order by March 27 and outline whether it continued offering online gaming. The request also included a full overview of all games provided to Maryland players. According to the regulator, none of those steps were completed, prompting the second round of warnings.
State Seeks Confirmation And Shutdown Dates
Recipients were again told to respond within 10 days. The notice asked them to confirm whether they intend to stop operating sweepstakes, casino games, online poker, and similar products in the state. Maryland regulators also asked for a firm shutdown date.
Get 125% / $2,500 on 1st deposit!
New players only. Exclusive Welcome Bonus of up to $2,500
A failure to comply could create long-term consequences. The letter stated that noncompliance may hurt both platforms if they ever attempt to seek licensing approval in Maryland down the line.
The action placed VGW among a long list of social casino operators facing similar orders. Earlier in the spring, the regulator named it the 12th operator in that category to receive one.
The post Maryland Regulator Sends 2nd Cease And Desist To Chumba Casino And Luckyland Slots appeared first on iGaming.org.