About this app
About The Golden Rat
Through the passing of laws banning dual-currency sweepstakes games or by cease-and-desist orders, VGW has exited numerous states and limited where sweeps coins, which can be bought and gambled for real money, are available.
Chumba Casino, VGW’s flagship brand, says in its Sept. 16 updated terms and conditions that the platform is not available in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia.
While Alabama ranks 27th among the 50 states in population, the limited availability of gaming makes the state attractive to companies like VGW.
What is The Golden Rat?
Warren Buffett, arguably the most celebrated investor of the modern era, is stepping back. As the 96-year-old “Oracle of Omaha” transitions to chairman emeritus, his legendary career concludes just as Americans are gambling at record levels—a speculative culture he has spent decades criticizing.
After leading his financial conglomerate for more than six decades, Warren Buffett is stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman, effective immediately. Buffett has transitioned to the role of chairman emeritus and will remain on the company’s board of directors.
Greg Abel took over as CEO of the $1 trillion organization in early 2026. While Buffett continued to visit the office daily, he indicated he is now ready for a slower pace.
How to play The Golden Rat
Days later, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver appeared in Las Vegas for his annual NBA Summer League press conference. Silver took the stage in the wake of a host of betting scandals that have ensnared Pro Basketball Hall of Fame member Chauncey Billups, former Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier and several other ex-NBA players.
There, Silver was asked by iGB if the NBA has expressed interest in forming a coalition with the other leagues to develop a set of best practises on insider trading and other germane betting-related concerns.
In response, Silver noted that the NBA could be a “party” to that, while adding that he may support the establishment of a federal tsar on sports betting.