Laurence Escalante, the 44-year-old founder of VGW, has permanently resigned from the company he established in 2010, according to Casino.org. His resignation took effect on Friday, 3 July. He had already been on a leave of absence from his role as chairman and chief executive.
The leave followed criminal charges laid in January. None of the allegations described below has been proven, and the source does not report any plea or court outcome.
The criminal charges
Escalante faces eight charges, including aggravated home burglary, theft and assault. They stem from allegations that he broke into the home of his 24-year-old ex-partner on 26 January.
Prosecutors allege he pushed past her, grabbed her by the hair and assaulted her. They say she was left with grazes and bruising, including injuries they attribute to a punch to the face.
Prosecutors also allege that after the confrontation he took back luxury gifts he had given her during their yearlong relationship. The items named are a $25,000 Rolex, Cartier bracelets and diamond earrings. They further claim he used scissors to cut up a $66,000 Hermès handbag.
He also faces a charge of engaging in persistent family violence, an offence under Western Australian law covering repeated domestic abuse or intimidation. Prosecutors allege the January incident formed part of a pattern of assaults dating back to June 2025.
Police later executed a search warrant at his home. They say they recovered the luxury items from a bedroom safe. Officers also allege they found more than 12.2 grams of ketamine, 18 grams of MDMA and more than 30 grams of cocaine.
Workplace culture allegations
Escalante's resignation came days after The Australian Financial Review approached him for comment on an article about VGW's workplace culture. The article was published on Saturday, 4 July.
According to the report, it described claims of bullying, sexual harassment, excessive drinking at work events and weak oversight of senior executives. It cited interviews with former employees, court documents and internal company records. Casino.org has not independently verified those claims, and neither has Pokiestralia.
Escalante, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on the allegations, citing his legal troubles. VGW told the AFR it had significantly strengthened its governance and workplace policies in recent years. It said it was committed to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment. These are company statements, and the source does not detail what specific changes were made.
About VGW
VGW owns the Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Global Poker brands. Casino.org describes all three as "sweepstakes casino" models that primarily serve customers in the United States. The company is described as one of Australia's most profitable technology businesses, with more than 1,000 staff globally.
The AFR's most recent Rich List estimated Escalante's net worth at A$4.5 billion (US$3.1 billion).
The source does not say who will lead VGW following the resignation. It does not name a successor or interim chief executive, and it does not say when Escalante is next due in court. VGW's public response, as reported, was limited to its general statement on governance and workplace policy.
Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, online casino services are prohibited in Australia. Nothing in the source material suggests the brands named above are being promoted to Australian players. Anyone affected by family violence can contact 1800RESPECT, and anyone concerned about their gambling can contact Gambling Help Online.