All it will take is Governor Gavin Newsom's signature for California Bill AB 831 to become law. If that happens, it will likely lead to the demise of sweepstakes casinos in the Golden State.
It may appear that all hope is lost for groups in favor of preserving sweepstakes casinos in the state, but give them credit for not giving up.
The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA) is a prominent industry association representing sweepstakes casino interests. It was formed in May 2025 to lobby against Bill AB 831.
This organization is seeking to convince Newsom to veto California Bill AB 831.
“Beyond the fact that this bill would worsen economic disparities among California tribes, put California to the back of the line in terms of digital innovation in this space, and take away a popular form of entertainment for residents, it will immediately strip ($1 billion) out of the state’s economy,” SGLA executive director Jeff Duncan said in a statement.
Bill AB 831 passed unanimously by a 79-0 vote of the full California Assembly. That was the final step to send the bill to Newsom's desk. He has three choices now. He can sign the bill into law, veto the bill, or take no action. Since the bill has progressed through every step of the process via unanimous approval, Newsom's latter two options seem unlikely at this stage.
Rather than a complete abolition of sweepstakes casinos, groups like the SGLA would prefer to see both sides negotiate some sort of regulatory model for sweepstakes casinos.
It was interesting that the lone tribal member of the California Assembly was opting out of the final vote on Bill AB 831. Representative James Ramos of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation abstained from voting.
The majority of California's tribes are backing AB 831. They control all casino gambling in the state and feel that sweepstakes casinos are an illegal infringement on their monopoly.
However, four tribes have been vocal in their opposition to the passage of this bill. Members of Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, and Big Lagoon Rancheria staged a protest outside the state assembly.
These tribes feel that sweepstakes casinos are providing a viable business opportunity for the state's smaller tribes, which can't operate a land-based casino.
Two of these tribes have a vested interest in maintaining the legality of sweepstakes casinos in California. They have partnership agreements with sweepstakes casino operations:
Beyond banning sweepstakes casino operators, the language of Bill AB 831 goes much further. It would allow charges to be laid against any group found to be working with the sweepstakes casino industry. That includes game providers.
Several game developers are taking this matter seriously. Earlier this week, 10 game developers pulled all of their products out of Stake.us sweepstakes casino in California. Games from Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming, Booming Games, Big Time Gaming, Evolution Gaming, No Limit City, NetEnt, Just Slots, Fat Panda, and Live88 are no longer available to California players through the Stake.us platform.
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