Canadian Poker Shake-Up: VGW Pulls Global Poker and Chumba Casino

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By Mauritz Altikardes
24 Sep 2025
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Mauritz Altikardes 24 Sep 2025
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  • Global Poker, Chumba Casino & LuckyLand Slots are leaving Canada by Sept 25, 2025.
  • Changing Canadian gaming regulations are driving the exit.
  • All games will end on September 25th
  • Final date to redeem sweepcoins, October 23rd
  • VGW Confirms Exit from Canada: Global Poker and Chumba Casino Shutting Down
  • Why Is Global Poker Leaving Canada?
  • Key Dates for Canadian Players
  • Player Reactions
  • What’s Next for Canadian Poker Players?
  • Global Poker FAQ
Tens of thousands of Canadian poker fans are losing access to their favorite sweepstakes sites. Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots are set to exit Canada in September, marking a major shift in the country’s online gaming landscape!

VGW Confirms Exit from Canada: Global Poker and Chumba Casino Shutting Down

VGW Holdings, the operator behind sweepstakes-style platforms Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots, has confirmed it will withdraw from the Canadian market by September 25, 2025. The move affects tens of thousands of Canadian players who have relied on the platforms for social poker and casino play.

Why Is Global Poker Leaving Canada?

While VGW has not provided a detailed explanation, the decision appears linked to Canada’s evolving online gambling regulations.
Ontario has already implemented a regulated iGaming market, while other provinces like Alberta are moving toward legalization.
This shifting legal landscape makes the sweepstakes model more difficult to sustain long-term.

Key Dates for Canadian Players

•August 28, 2025: Purchases of “Gold Coins” were disabled.
•September 25, 2025: Games across Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots will no longer be available.
•October 23, 2025: Final deadline for redeeming any outstanding “Sweeps Coins” for cash or prizes.

Players are encouraged to log in, use their balances, and request redemptions before the final cutoff.

Player Reactions

The exit has sparked frustration among Canadian players, many of whom enjoyed the unique sweepstakes model that allowed free-to-play poker with redeemable rewards.
Some users expressed concern about the limited notice period, while others are now looking toward regulated platforms in Ontario or offshore alternatives.

What’s Next for Canadian Poker Players?

  • Ontario Residents can access regulated sites such as PokerStars Ontario, 888poker Ontario, and WSOP.ca (powered by GGPoker).
  • Other Provinces remain limited to provincial lottery offerings or operators such as GGPoker, Coin Poker and other operators until further regulation arrives.
  • Alberta may soon follow Ontario in opening its market, with legislation already in progress.

Global Poker FAQ

Which VGW platforms are leaving Canada?

Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots will no longer operate in Canada.

When is the last day to play?

September 25, 2025 is the final date players can access games.

I have sweepcoins in my account, what I am supposed to do?

You have to redeem them quite soon, the sites will shut down on the 23rd of October.

Where can Canadian poker players go now?

Ontario residents have access to regulated platforms like GGPoker Ontario or 888poker while other provinces have more option as our review page shows.

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