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The operator says Canada is too small a market compared to the US.
Sweepstakes operator VGW will soon say goodbye to Canadian players. The company has confirmed it will pull both Chumba Casino and Global Poker from the market, ending years of availability in the country.
The timeline is already set.
From 24 September 2025, players will no longer be able to access VGW’s games or buy Gold Coins. Prize redemptions will still be possible for a short time, but on 23 October 2025, the exit becomes final and the operator will leave Canada entirely.
A choice driven by business, not regulation
VGW is leaving Canada without any push from regulators.
This decision is different from VGW’s earlier withdrawals in New York and New Jersey, which came after regulators imposed new restrictions on sweepstakes casinos. In Canada, there has been little direct regulatory pressure. VGW has faced no immediate ban, enforcement action or oversight ruling.
Instead, the company says the move comes down to scale. Canada, while an active market, represents only a small portion of its global player base. In contrast, the United States has always been the largest driver of activity and revenue for the company.
In a statement shared with Gambling Insider, a VGW spokesperson explained:
“This decision wasn’t taken lightly and our focus is on ensuring players are fully informed about the changes, and that this transition is as smooth as possible. Ultimately, this is a difficult but strategic, isolated decision. Our Canadian business is relatively small, as the vast majority of our players reside in the larger US market, where we will concentrate our management focus, resources and investment going forward.”
The company also acknowledged that Canadian players may be disappointed after years of access to sweepstakes products, but stressed that this decision is part of a bigger shift in how VGW allocates its resources.
A pattern of recent withdrawals
The Canada exit is the latest in a series of pullbacks.
Earlier this year, in May 2025, VGW withdrew from New York when new rules made it harder for sweepstakes operators to continue. One month later, in June, New Jersey became the first US state to formally ban sweepstakes casinos, forcing VGW to shut down both Chumba Casino and Luckyland Casino in the state.
Compared to those cases, the Canada move stands out. It has not been triggered by new legislation, court rulings or regulator action. Instead, it reflects a strategic shift. VGW appears to be consolidating its business in larger, more profitable markets, while exiting smaller ones that do not significantly affect its bottom line.
At the same time, the company has introduced new policies that affect its remaining customers. Recently, VGW announced that it would begin charging sales tax on Gold Coin purchases, a change that caught many long-term players by surprise.
A future focused on the US
VGW says it will put its energy into strengthening its US position.
With its Canadian business winding down, VGW has made clear where its focus lies. Earlier this month, the operator became the first sweepstakes company to partner with a tribal entity in California. The move was described as an important step in cementing its presence in the US, a market that continues to dominate the global sweepstakes space.
For Canadian players, the announcement signals the end of one of the most familiar sweepstakes brands available locally. For VGW, the decision underlines a broader strategy: double down on the US, where player numbers and revenues are strongest, and step away from smaller markets where the impact is limited.
While the 23 October 2025 cut-off marks a loss for Canadian fans of Chumba Casino and Global Poker, the company views it as a necessary move to secure its future.
Source: Gambling Insider
