WOW Vegas Lawsuit: Is This a Casino or a "Social" Game?

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit alleges that WOW Vegas operates as an illegal online casino by using a virtual currency system that can be redeemed for cash, in violation of Illinois gambling laws.

Consumers Affected: Illinois residents who lost money on WOW Vegas between 2022 and early 2025.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Springfield Division

WOW Vegas operates as an illegal online casino while disguising itself as a “social casino,” a Mount Olive resident is alleging in a new lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims the company misleads consumers into thinking they’re simply playing games for fun, when in reality they are wagering real money on games of chance in violation of Illinois law.

Plaintiff Says She Lost Thousands on "Chance Games"

The lawsuit was filed by Marlena Wieseman, who says she played on WOW Vegas between 2022 and early 2025. After using up her initial allotment of free in-game currency, she began purchasing WOW Coins and Sweeps Coins, wagering heavily on the site’s slots, roulette, poker, and other casino-style games. 

Over time, Wieseman says she lost about $10,000. Wieseman argues she would not have made those purchases had she known WOW Vegas was operating illegally and profiting from deceptive practices.

Virtual Coin System Allegedly Mimics Real-Money Wagering

WOW Vegas promotes itself as a free-play social casino, but the complaint alleges it operates like a real-money gambling site. Players purchase WOW Coins, often bundled with Sweeps Coins—the only currency that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. 

After meeting a minimal playthrough requirement, users can cash out Sweeps Coins, making them the functional equivalent of real money.

The platform’s offerings, slots, blackjack, roulette, and even live-dealer games, are designed to mimic the atmosphere of traditional casinos. The lawsuit argues these are unequivocally games of chance and therefore meet the textbook definition of gambling under Illinois law, where only licensed operators at approved locations are permitted to offer such services.

The case also highlights a larger public health concern. Since sports betting was legalized in 2018, gambling has exploded nationwide, with wagers climbing from $4.9 billion in 2017 to over $120 billion in 2023, the lawsuit explains. 

Experts estimate that 2.5 million adults suffer from severe gambling disorders, and millions more struggle with related issues. Online platforms and “social casinos” like WOW Vegas are blamed for fueling the surge, particularly among young men, according to the lawsuit.

Gaming and Gambling Platforms Face Growing Legal Pressure

WOW Vegas isn’t the only platform under fire. Popular “social casino” Moozi Casino is battling a lawsuit that paints it as an illegal gambling site masquerading as harmless fun. 

Filed by an Alabama woman, the case accuses parent company Moshy Gaming LLC of luring players with free virtual coins before pushing them to spend real money. Underdog Fantasy is facing claims that it operates an illegal sports betting business under the cover of fantasy sports, misleading users into wagering without proper licenses.

Meanwhile, DraftKings, one of the biggest names in online betting, has been hit with allegations of improperly shutting down accounts and keeping customer funds. Even tech giants Apple and Google have been dragged into the legal fray, accused of enabling unregulated gambling by distributing casino-style apps that encourage players to sink real money into chance-based games.

In her lawsuit, Wieseman is asking to represent all Illinois residents who lost money on WOW Vegas during the relevant time period as she seeks damages, injunctive relief, fees, costs, and interest. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Wieseman v. MW Services Ltd., D/B/A Wow Vegas
• Case Number: 3:25-cv-03216-CRL-DJQ
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Springfield Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Scott Edelsberg (Edelsberg Law, P.A.)
• Andrew Shamis and Edwin Elliot (Shamis & Gentile, P.A.)

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