VGW Partners With Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation for Social Gaming in California

Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) has entered a new partnership with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria Tribe, securing an agreement to operate free-to-play social gaming platforms and related sweepstakes promotions in California. The deal also involves the Kletsel Economic Development Authority (KEDA), the Tribe’s economic development arm.

Good to know

• VGW has been active in North America for more than 10 years.
• The partnership includes both social casino-style games and sweepstakes promotions.
• The deal comes as California debates Assembly Bill 831, which seeks to prohibit sweepstakes promotions statewide.

VGW Founder and CEO Laurence Escalante said the collaboration with KEDA was about both opportunity and responsibility:

“We are delighted to enter into this partnership with KEDA and look forward to working together to ensure economic opportunities well into the future. We’ve operated in North America for more than a decade, creating not only great games, user experiences and entertainment but ensuring this is done safely, responsibly and at the highest level of standards – in line with our core value of ‘we do what’s right.’”

Escalante added that with VGW’s continued growth, outside interest in its business has grown as well. He emphasized the importance of corporate social responsibility and praised KEDA as a partner aligned with those values.

Tribal Perspective on Digital Gaming

For KEDA and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the deal represents a new way to support their community. CEO Eric Wright pointed to the challenges smaller tribes face when economic opportunities are tied to physical location:

“For Tribes like ours, geography has always limited traditional economic development. It is self-serving for large, well-established gaming tribes to advocate for policies that restrict emerging digital commerce opportunities for others, effectively holding smaller and less-advantaged tribes hostage to their location. Eliminating lawful, regulated digital opportunities will deepen existing disparities, reduce self-sufficiency and undermine California’s commitment to economic justice for all tribes.”

Opposition to Assembly Bill 831

The partnership comes as California legislators debate AB 831, a bill that would block sweepstakes promotions statewide. Both VGW and KEDA oppose the measure, arguing that rushed legislation could damage smaller tribes and restrict innovation.

Escalante said:

“We also welcome KEDA’s opposition to AB 831. As we’ve previously said, our focus is on respectful engagement with legislators and calling for the establishment of modern, appropriate regulatory structures that can benefit players and states alike – not rushed, flawed legislation with unintended consequences being pushed by parties with clear vested interests like AB 831.”

Two weeks ago, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) moved toward a major shift after shareholders backed a buyout plan from founder Laurence Escalante. The approval clears the way for the Australian gaming company to go private. The move comes at a time when VGW is navigating growing regulatory pressure in the U.S. and seeking more flexibility to steer its long-term strategy.

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