California Senate Passes Sweepstakes Casino Ban Bill
crackdown on sweepstakes casinos in California is drawing nigh.
Key Takeaways
- The California State Senate unanimously passed A.B. 831, a bill aimed at banning sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks.
- The bill prohibits any individual or entity from supporting online sweepstakes gambling in California and includes penalties such as fines and jail time for violators.
- Supported by Native American tribes and gaming associations, the legislation now awaits approval from the Assembly before heading to Governor Newsom for signature.
On Monday, the California State Senate passed Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s A.B. 831 by a 36-0 vote. The legislation would prohibit the operation and offering of sweepstakes casinos and sportsbooks.
A.B. 831 would also make it illegal "for any person, entity, financial institution, payment processor, geolocation provider, gaming content supplier, platform provider, or media affiliate to knowingly support directly or indirectly the operation, conduct, or promotion of an online sweepstakes game within the state,” a Senate analysis notes.
Anyone caught violating the new law could face fines and jail time.
"Many of these ‘sweepstakes’ operators are based offshore and function without proper oversight, avoiding requirements like consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, background checks, and tax compliance,” Valencia said in a statement on the bill.
A.B. 831 was amended in the Senate to become an anti-sweeps bill, and must now go back to the California State Assembly, where it originated, to get its changes approved. If they are, the legislation can then go to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk to be signed into law.
Victor Rocha, conference chair of the Indian Gaming Association, tweeted on Sept. 1 that his sources are saying there are "more than enough" votes in the Assembly to get A.B. 831 through, and that Newsom will sign the bill.
The anti-sweeps bill was tweaked a few times by the Senate to clarify who is and isn't a target. Last week, it was updated again to ensure its provisions are not aimed at licensed cardrooms and the state lottery.
Furthermore, the legislation was amended to say that it does not "make unlawful game promotions or sweepstakes conducted by for-profit commercial entities on a limited and occasional basis as an advertising and marketing tool that are incidental to substantial bona fide sales of consumer products or services and that are not intended to provide a vehicle for the establishment of ongoing gambling or gaming."
- www.covers.com/industry/california-sweepstakes-casinos-ban-bill-pass-senate-sports-betting-september-2025