Arkansas Sues Sweepstakes Casino Operator VGW

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has sued sweepstakes operator VGW for allegedly violating the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Griffin says the company's claim that it does not operate gambling is wrong.

In his statement, Griffin said that anyone who allows gambling in Arkansas is subject to the rules that govern legal gambling. Sports betting is legal in the state, but real-money online gaming is prohibited.

VGW operates sweepstakes-style casinos such as Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Casino and Global Poker. The company is only one of the active sweepstakes operators in the state.

In 2025, steps were taken in the Arkansas legislature to allow online casinos for three specific casino license holders. At the same time, two bills, HB1861 and SB524, under the Interactive Gaming Act, were introduced that would make dual-currency sweepstakes casinos a crime. Both bills were shelved. The House bill was recommended for further review, so it could come back in the future.

Republican Tim Griffin was re-elected as attorney general unopposed in the midterm elections. Griffin has been attorney general since 2023, and before that he served as the state's 20th lieutenant governor. Griffin has also filed a similar lawsuit against prediction market operator Kalshi.