Online gambling executive and billionaire Laurence Escalante has appeared in a Perth court to face multiple criminal charges, prompting his company, Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW), to confirm that he has temporarily relinquished his leadership roles. The 44-year-old founder is accused of offenses spanning family violence, assault, burglary, property damage, and drug-related crimes, according to police and court records.

Escalante, a West Australian entrepreneur who built VGW into a major online gaming company, faces eight charges in total. Police allege the incidents occurred over a six-month period, beginning in June 2025 and continuing through January 2026. Several of the charges involve a 24-year-old woman who is known to him and described in court proceedings as a former partner.

Allegations and court proceedings in Perth

According to police, Escalante allegedly broke into the woman’s Perth home on Australia Day, where officers say he assaulted her, damaged property, and stole items, including jewelry. Authorities further allege that additional incidents of family violence took place during the months leading up to January 2026. The charges include persistently engaging in family violence, aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm, aggravated home burglary, theft, and criminal damage or destruction of property.

Police executed a search warrant at Escalante’s residence later in the investigation. A spokesperson said officers allegedly located “a trafficable quantity of illicit drugs,” identifying cocaine and MDMA among the substances seized. As a result, Escalante also faces multiple counts of possessing prohibited drugs with intent to sell or supply.

Escalante appeared before an Australian court last week and was granted bail. He was released on a $79,000 bond and ordered to report to Perth Magistrates Court three times a week. His legal counsel has indicated that he intends to contest the charges.

VGW confirms leadership change

In response to Escalante’s arrest, VGW confirmed that its founder has taken a leave of absence from his executive positions. The company emphasized that the allegations do not involve its business operations.

“We are aware of the serious charges made against Mr Escalante. These are unrelated to VGW and personal in nature,” a VGW spokesperson said in a statement cited by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “However, we can confirm Mr Escalante will be taking a leave of absence from his role as CEO and Executive Chairman of VGW. In the interim, we have installed experienced leadership from our existing executive team to take on those responsibilities and it remains business as usual for VGW. The company takes any allegations of this nature extremely seriously. As this is a private matter and remains before the courts, we cannot comment further.”

The temporary leadership shift comes less than six months after Escalante consolidated his ownership of VGW. In August, shareholders approved the sale of the remaining 30 percent stake he did not already control. He completed the $632 million acquisition through an unlisted special purpose company linked to his family office, following support from more than 85 percent of shareholders.

Business background and regulatory pressure

Escalante founded VGW in 2010 after earlier ventures in online gaming. The company operates virtual slot machines, poker games, and online casino-style products under brands such as Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker. While headquartered in Perth, VGW’s customer base is largely in the United States, with reports estimating up to one million users per day. The business has been valued at approximately $3.1 billion, while the Australian Financial Review has placed Escalante’s personal wealth at $4.5 billion.

VGW has faced increasing scrutiny from regulators in several U.S. jurisdictions over its dual-currency sweepstakes-style games. The company has withdrawn those offerings from more than 10 states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Tennessee, and West Virginia. VGW has also shut down Chumba Casino and Global Poker operations in Canada and received cease and desist orders from regulators in Maryland. In California, the company is defending a lawsuit connected to claims brought by spouses of players, with many disputes directed to arbitration under player agreements.

As Escalante’s legal case proceeds, VGW has stated that its day-to-day operations will continue under interim leadership while the matter remains before the courts.