VGW Strengthens Its Live Casino Division with Key Entain Hire

Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), a leader in the social and sweepstakes casino space, has announced the appointment of Graciella Anthony as its new Head of Live Casino. Anthony, who previously served as Global Head of Live and Table Games at Entain, brings extensive experience to her new role and is expected to play a crucial part in enhancing VGW’s live casino offerings.

The move was confirmed by Anthony herself via LinkedIn, signaling VGW’s growing ambition to expand its presence in the live casino sector. In her previous role at Entain, she focused on closing market gaps and adapting to changing player preferences, particularly those with shorter attention spans. During a panel at last year’s SBC Summit in Barcelona, Anthony noted the need for innovative products in the live gaming space to accommodate players looking for quick gaming experiences. She stated, “The gap I see at the moment is that you’ve got customers who just want digital snacking, where they’re in for seven seconds, and we don’t have products in the live space where players can come in waiting for the bus and they just want to be able to dip in and out.”

Anthony also highlighted the growing importance of game shows as a gateway to live casino games, saying, “With game shows, we see them as a kind of gateway into live casino. We see more recreational players playing these types of games and we see a lot of slot players coming to experience these kinds of games.”

VGW, which operates popular platforms like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, has long been a frontrunner in the sweepstakes casino model. However, these platforms currently lack live dealer games—a feature that is becoming increasingly common among VGW’s competitors. Anthony’s appointment signals VGW’s intention to introduce live casino options in the near future, positioning it to remain competitive in a growing market.

Live dealer games have been expanding rapidly across real-money online casinos in the U.S., with operators such as Evolution, Playtech, and Authentic Gaming leading the way. Many social casinos have begun integrating live dealer games as well, with sites like McLuck, Stake.us, and Hello Millions offering a variety of live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games. VGW’s decision to bring in Anthony, with her background at Entain—a global gaming powerhouse—suggests that the company is preparing to introduce similar offerings across its platforms.

Despite VGW’s growth and success, the company has faced criticism, particularly from the American Gaming Association (AGA), over the regulatory framework surrounding sweepstakes casinos. The AGA has raised concerns about the dual-currency system used by these platforms, which allows them to operate legally under federal sweepstakes law. Critics argue that these casinos “look and play like an online casino” while avoiding traditional gambling regulations. Additionally, the AGA has warned that the lack of transparency could increase the risk of illegal activities.

VGW’s founder and owner, Laurence Escalante, responded to the criticism by emphasizing the company’s robust financial crime controls, which he described as “the best in class.” VGW’s commitment to regulatory compliance and player safety remains a central focus as it continues to expand its offerings.

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VGW’s anticipated foray into live dealer gaming comes at a time when live dealer games are gaining momentum in both real-money and social casinos. These games offer unique, interactive experiences that attract players beyond traditional table games. Internationally, live dealer game shows like Evolution’s Crazy Time and Playtech’s Adventures Beyond Wonderland have garnered significant popularity, particularly among recreational players.

Sources:

VGW snaps up former Entain Head of Live Casino – casinobeats.com, September 18, 2024.