Class Action Lawsuit Targets VGW Holdings Over Alleged Illegal Online Casinos
On Monday, April 28, 2025, John Brown, Karim Laury, Eve Fields, Michelle Lighter, and Trena Ostlund filed a class action complaint in the US District Court for the District of Montana against VGW Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, including VGW Malta Holding Limited, VGW Malta Limited, VGW Games Limited, VGW GP Limited, VGW Holdings US Inc., VGW US, Inc., and VGW LuckyLand Inc., along with unnamed defendants referred to as Does 1-25. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants operated illegal online gambling enterprises through platforms known as Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker.
The plaintiffs, residents of Montana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee, claim that these online platforms violated state anti-gambling laws by offering games of chance, including slot machines, blackjack, poker, and craps, in states where such activities are prohibited. According to the complaint, the defendants’ platforms allowed users to purchase virtual “gold coins” and “sweepstakes coins” with real money. Gold coins could be used to play games but not redeemed for cash, while sweepstakes coins, valued at $1 each, could be redeemed for cash equivalent to their value. The lawsuit asserts that this system constitutes real-money gambling, as players wagered these coins in hopes of winning more, which could then be cashed out.
The complaint details significant financial losses suffered by the plaintiffs’ spouses, who gambled on these platforms. In Montana, Michelle Lighter’s spouse, Patrick Olsen, allegedly lost at least $4,500 at Chumba Casino since January 2023. In Illinois, John Brown’s spouse, Courtney Brown, reportedly lost $33,600 between September 2024 and March 2025. Trena Ostlund’s spouse, Jose Ostlund, in Kentucky, is said to have lost $915 at LuckyLand Slots from August 2024 to January 2025. In Ohio, Karim Laury’s spouse, Cody Kuchan, allegedly lost $2,400 at Chumba Casino between June 2024 and February 2025. Eve Fields’ spouse, Daniel Fields, in Tennessee, reportedly lost $3,400 across Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker from December 2023 to February 2025.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants’ operations generated substantial revenue, with the complaint stating that the three platforms collectively earned over $4 billion globally in 2024, primarily from the United States, including states with anti-gambling laws. The lawsuit claims that the defendants misled users by presenting their platforms as legal “social” or “sweepstakes” casinos, despite public admissions by VGW that its platforms offered real-money gaming targeting U.S. states where gambling is restricted.
The complaint accuses the defendants of concealing the illegal nature of their operations, citing misleading statements on their websites, such as claims that the platforms complied with applicable laws and did not involve real-money gambling. It further alleges that the platforms were designed to encourage addictive behavior, using vivid graphics, sound effects, and the ability to switch between gold and sweepstakes coins to keep users engaged.
The lawsuit seeks to certify a class action representing family members of individuals who lost money or property at these platforms in Montana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Each plaintiff represents a sub-class in their respective state, aiming to recover losses under state-specific anti-gambling statutes.
The claims include violations of Montana Code Annotated § 23-5-131, Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/28-8, Kentucky Revised Statutes §§ 372.020 and 372.040, Ohio Revised Code §§ 3763.02 and 3763.04, and Tennessee Code §§ 29-19-104 and 29-19-105.
The plaintiffs request compensatory damages, statutory treble or exemplary damages, restitution, disgorgement, injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs.
Please contact BlockTribune for access to a copy of this filing.
