VGW Faces Class Action Lawsuit in California With Influencer Brian Christopher Named

Sweepstakes casino operator VGW Holdings has been hit with a new class action lawsuit in California federal court, with several well-known partners also named as defendants. The case includes payment processors Trustly and Yodlee, ID verification provider Jumio, and slots influencer Brian Christopher.

Good to know

• The lawsuit represents players not just in California, but also across 13 other states and Washington D.C.
• Brian Christopher, a popular slots influencer, is accused of promoting VGW’s unlicensed sweepstakes casinos.
• VGW already pulled out of more than a dozen states, including New York and New Jersey, due to new anti-sweeps bills.
• In 2024 VGW Malta Ltd. agreed to pay $11.75 million to settle another class action suit in Kentucky.

VGW runs online platforms like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, where users can purchase virtual currency to play games with the chance of winning cash prizes. The company frames these offerings as “sweepstakes,” but critics argue they operate much like unlicensed online casinos.

Filed on Wednesday, the suit argues that VGW’s “illegal gambling enterprise” could not function without its California-based partners. The filing states:

“VGW’s illegal gambling enterprise is not, and cannot be, operated by VGW alone. The illegal enterprise is only possible with the aid and assistance of multiple partners. VGW runs much or all of its operation through California, and has partnered with certain California-based individuals and companies, which provide essential gambling services to the VGW Casinos. These California partners include: (1) Jumio Corporation; (2) Yodlee, Inc.; (3) Trustly, Inc.; and (4) Mr. Brian Christopher Misfud.”

Christopher, who has built a large following through his slots content, is accused of receiving commissions from VGW when players register through his videos and endorsements. He also has branded slot games available on Chumba Casino. Ironically, Christopher has previously warned influencers about partnering with unregulated operators — particularly crypto casinos — yet VGW itself is unlicensed in California. Furthermore, Cristopher himself is involved with both BetMGM and SportsGrid.

This isn’t the first time influencers have been tied to legal action involving sweepstakes casinos. Earlier this year, Ryan Seacrest was named in a similar California case alleging he promoted VGW’s platforms.

VGW’s Retreat From U.S. Markets

The company’s legal troubles come as it continues to exit key states. In May, VGW left New York after lawmakers introduced bills directly targeting sweepstakes operators. It also shut down in New Jersey ahead of a possible ban. In total, VGW has withdrawn from around a dozen states, including Delaware, Mississippi, Michigan, and Connecticut.

Still, the operator hasn’t left California. Just this week, it signed a conditional agreement with the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria, signaling it may be looking for a way to maintain a footprint in the state despite growing legal challenges.

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