VGW launches Chumba Casino iOS app after $8M New York settlement
App arrives on the App Store for US players and will phase out Chumba Lite
Key Takeaways
- VGW launched a Chumba Casino iOS app for US players less than two months after agreeing a $8,000,000 settlement with New York.
- The app supports Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins and delivers Chumba Casino’s full game catalogue on the Apple App Store.
- New York’s $8,000,000 settlement followed findings that users could receive roughly one Sweeps Coin per dollar spent, which authorities said violated state law.
- Chumba Lite will be phased out; the new app syncs balances and history and requires identity verification and a minimum age of 21.
VGW (Virtual Gaming Worlds) launched a new Chumba Casino app for iOS aimed at players in the United States, less than two months after agreeing a $8,000,000 settlement with the State of New York. The app brings Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to iPhone and iPad and delivers Chumba Casino’s full game catalogue via the Apple App Store.
Regulatory context and the New York settlement
The app’s release comes amid increased scrutiny of sweepstakes-style casino operators. In September, New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a $8,000,000 settlement with VGW after investigating its virtual-currency model. Investigators found that customers could receive approximately one Sweeps Coin per dollar spent on the platforms; because those Sweeps Coins could be redeemed for cash or prizes, authorities concluded the model violated state gambling laws.
VGW had already withdrawn the virtual-currency play option in New York after receiving a cease-and-desist letter in June 2025. New York also enacted a broader ban on sweepstakes casinos in December 2025. Despite that, VGW continues to operate Chumba Casino in US jurisdictions where the activity is permitted, and the new app gives eligible customers an additional channel to access games.
Differences with Chumba Lite and app features
The new application will gradually replace Chumba Lite, which supported only Standard Play and Gold Coins. The replacement adds support for Sweeps Coins in states where VGW permits sweepstakes-style play. The App Store version also includes progressive jackpots, Social Plus titles, live social games and exclusive slot machines.
Users will be able to switch between web and app without losing account history or balances; VGW synchronises that information across platforms. Security measures include Face ID, Touch ID, identity verification and a minimum age requirement of 21 years. VGW will notify Chumba Lite users how to transfer their accounts; the company has not set a specific shutdown date for Chumba Lite.
“Bringing Chumba Casino to the Apple App Store is an exciting milestone for VGW as we continue to expand our reach and further improve our player experience,” said Scott Milford, Chief Product & Revenue Officer at VGW.
Previous litigation
VGW has faced several class actions related to its sweepstakes model. In 2024, VGW Malta Ltd. agreed to pay $11,750,000 to resolve a class action in Kentucky. In August 2025 a major lawsuit was filed in California naming VGW and several commercial partners, including payment processors Trustly and Yodlee, verification provider Jumio and slots influencer Brian Christopher. The California suit covered alleged player losses in 14 states and Washington, D.C., and accused the defendants of supporting unlicensed online gambling operations on platforms such as Chumba Casino.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new Chumba Casino iOS app offer?
The new app provides Chumba Casino’s full catalogue on the Apple App Store and supports Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins where permitted. It includes progressive jackpots, Social Plus titles, live social games and exclusive slots, and syncs accounts between web and app.
Why did VGW agree a $8 million settlement in New York?
New York secured a $8,000,000 settlement after an investigation found customers could receive about one Sweeps Coin per dollar spent, and that those Sweeps Coins could be redeemed for cash or prizes, which the authorities concluded contravened state gambling laws.
What will happen to Chumba Lite after the launch?
VGW plans to retire Chumba Lite gradually and will contact existing users with instructions to transfer their accounts to the new app. The company has not announced a specific shutdown date for Chumba Lite.
Does VGW have prior legal exposure related to sweepstakes?
Yes. In 2024 VGW Malta Ltd. paid $11,750,000 to settle a class action in Kentucky, and in August 2025 a significant lawsuit was filed in California naming VGW and partners such as Trustly, Yodlee, Jumio and Brian Christopher, covering alleged losses in 14 states and Washington, D.C.
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About the author
Alejandro Vidal
Casino Correspondent
Alejandro Vidal covers the online casino business — slot and live-table debuts, game mechanics, certifications, and the distribution deals that carry each title into regulated lobbies. The reports open with the launch or the deal, name studios, titles, and markets precisely, and avoid promotional language. When a studio redefines a mechanic or an operator signs an exclusive, Alejandro Vidal explains what changes for the player and the market.
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