What does California law say about online casinos in CA?
It’s important to differentiate between Federal laws and state laws here. Federal law applies to the whole of the US, whereas state laws are imposed in individual states. That’s why some states allow online casinos and others do not. As I’ve already noted, there are different types of casinos though, so let’s look at traditional online offerings compared to sweepstakes offerings in the state at present.
Traditional online casinos are not permitted in the state
State regulations currently prohibit the operation of online casinos. There is a chance this could change, but for now, it is illegal for California residents to use such sites. California sweepstakes casinos therefore provide a great alternative that doesn’t fall foul of the law.
Sweepstakes casinos are welcome to operate in the state
This means social casinos are legal too, since all sweepstakes casinos offer a social aspect as well. You’ll often find them referred to as social and sweepstakes casinos. When you visit an online sweepstakes casino, you should see ownership information at the bottom of the site. However, you won’t see any licensing details there. That’s because these sites do not operate under the licensing conditions imposed on traditional casinos.
“No purchase necessary”
This is wording you’ll become familiar with when you start visiting a few social and sweepstakes casinos. According to the State of California Department of Justice, the following stipulations must apply to all sweepstakes in the state, according to California sweepstakes law:
- You are not required to pay anything to participate in sweepstakes
- All sweepstakes casinos must make clear that no purchase is necessary to participate
- Sweepstakes must be based on chance rather than requiring any skill
- Participants must be aged at least 18 years
All sweepstakes casinos available in the state should be compliant with these terms.
What are sweepstakes casinos?
The name makes it clear that these are sites offering casino-style games that do not involve real money betting. Instead, they allow players to play the titles as social games or in sweepstakes mode. This is done using two types of in-house currency. You can choose social games and play them with Gold Coins or sweepstakes games with Sweeps Coins. Some sites have different names for these, but you’ll know what they are upfront. For example, Stake.us uses the term Stake Cash to describe its Sweeps Coins.
Regardless of names, the coin types work identically at all California sweepstakes sites you might visit. Here are some facts that will apply in every case. You’ll note the same rules if you read about
sweepstakes casinos in Texas - our full guide to sweepstakes laws in TX.
| Gold Coins |
Sweeps Coins |
| Use these to play social casino-style games |
Use these to play casino-style games in sweepstakes mode |
| Optional purchases are available, but not required |
Sweeps Coins are never available for purchase |
| Collect more via a welcome bonus, daily login bonus, and by entering competitions on social media |
Collect more via a welcome bonus, potentially a daily login bonus, and via competitions and giveaways on social media |
| Gold Coins are not redeemable for real prizes |
You cannot directly redeem Sweeps Coins, but you can redeem Sweeps Coins winnings for real prizes as per the site’s sweepstakes rules |
How do California sweepstakes casinos differ from traditional casinos?
Regular online casinos in other states that allow them will provide players with the chance to make deposits and request withdrawals of winnings. Sweepstakes casinos do not support any deposits or withdrawals. You don’t need to purchase anything to participate either. The other key factor to remember is to collect and play with Sweeps Coins when you can get them. Only your Sweeps Coins winnings are redeemable for real prizes, so you must play with them first. This format complies with sweepstakes laws in California.
How to play at California sweepstakes casinos
There are plenty of sites you can choose from, including Stake.us, Mega Bonanza, and WOW Vegas, all of which are available in the Golden State. You’ll need an account to start with, and I’ve joined a few sites to see whether similar signup processes are in place at these sites. If you’re looking for info on New York, you’ll need to read the
sweepstakes casinos in New York - our full guide to sweepstakes laws in NY instead.
Setting up an account
- Open an account by registering on the site and providing your information
- You may need to verify your email address or phone number at this stage
- If you have a promo code for a welcome offer, enter it on the form provided
- Some sites require you to verify your identity and address before proceeding with signup
- Once you’re verified, you can access your account and any welcome bonus you’ve been given
Here's our selection of top sites
1.
125 Sweepstakes Coins
+ 625K GC + 1250 VIP Points
2.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase - 1.5M CC +
75 SC
3.
560K GC ,
56 SC
5% Rakeback
4.
May Special: 57500 Gold Coins ,
27.5 SC
5.
700 H5C ,
60 SC
400 Diamonds
Collecting Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
Most of the social and sweepstakes sites I’ve visited have offered a welcome bonus involving both types of coins. I usually receive plenty of Gold Coins and perhaps one or two Sweeps Coins. That’s quite normal, as it is usually harder to find Sweeps Coins to play with at California sweepstakes casinos. I’ve detailed the main ways you can pick up more of these coins below.
| Gold Coins (GCs) |
Sweeps Coins (SCs) |
| Available via a signup bonus - received after verifying your account |
Available via a signup bonus following verification |
| Optional first purchase offer - often available for a limited time |
Some optional GC purchases may provide free SCs as well |
| Daily login bonus - received when you sign in each day |
Part of or a whole Sweeps Coin might be available via a daily login bonus |
| Referral bonus - refer friends and receive more Gold Coins |
Referral bonuses can involve free Sweeps Coins too |
| VIP program - receive more GCs for reaching new levels or completing tasks |
Enter social media competitions to try and win more Sweeps Coins |
Playing casino-style games in two modes
Every site you visit will show different balances for your Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Gold Coins will only allow you to play social casino-style games. These don’t involve any real prizes. If you want a chance to win those, you must switch to playing with Sweeps Coins. This means you have a chance to win some more, and it is the Sweeps Coins winnings you can redeem for real prizes at California sweepstakes casinos. Remember to check which you are using before you start playing.
Popular social and sweepstakes games in California
The titles you can play will vary from one site to another, of course. That’s why I’ve joined a couple, just to expand my list of social games to look through. Many of the same providers and casino-style games are available at sweepstakes casinos, just as they are at traditional online casinos. This means you’ll get the chance to play some entertaining titles in many of the below categories. You’ll see a similar scenario is present at sweepstakes casinos in Pennsylvania - our full guide to sweepstakes laws in PA.
Slots
Commonly called the backbone of many casinos of all kinds, they’re big news in California too, thanks to California sweepstakes law welcoming these sites to the state. I’ve played many variations too, including these:
| Classic slots |
Video slots |
Megaways slots |
| Cascading reels slots |
Bonus round slots |
Slots with jackpots (in GC or SC as relevant) |
| Themed slots |
Hold & Win slots |
Slots based on TV and movies |
Table games
Pull up a virtual seat and try some blackjack or perhaps watch as the ball spins around the roulette wheel. Other table games you might see include baccarat, Sic Bo, and HiLo.
In-house original titles
Stake.us is a good example of how original casino-style games do well at California sweepstakes casinos. They include the following:
- Crash
- Plinko
- Mines
- Dice
- Limbo
- HiLo
They’re quick to play and ideal to start using Gold Coins, so you can get the hang of them while collecting Sweeps Coins (or Stake Cash, in this case) to play the sweepstakes format instead.
Poker
There are three possibilities here:
- Video poker (a cross between slots and poker hands)
- Regular poker (played against the computer)
- Live dealer poker (played at a live social casino)
You’ll find one or more of these options at many social and sweepstakes casinos, as they all comply with the format.
Scratch cards
These are quick to play; I often try a few in between some longer sessions on slots, for example. They work just the same as physical scratch cards, except you’ll either use your cursor to ‘scratch off’ the ‘foil’ or your finger if you’re using a touchscreen device.
Live dealer social casino games
Yes, you can even find
live dealer sweepstakes casino
titles to play, based on some popular table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. These have real dealers, as you’d expect, but you will play using your Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins, just as you would with any other titles you find on these sites.
What are the advantages of California sweepstakes casinos compared to physical casinos in the state?
There are plenty, so let’s go through the main ones here.
🌟 Accessing Sweepstakes Casinos in California
Most California residents can access sweepstakes casinos online. There are very few barriers to accessing these sites compared to traditional online casinos. As I’ve noted, you cannot visit online casinos in the state, but there are only a few requirements you must meet to use a California sweepstakes casino:
- You must be aged 18 or over- You must live in California- You must be able to provide photo ID to confirm who you are and your address- You must be within state borders to play
🎮 Free to Play with Gold Coins
It’s free to play with Gold Coins. As I’ve noted, there are lots of ways to pick up more Gold Coins. One of the easiest ways to do so once you’ve joined is to collect your daily login bonus. There are packages of Gold Coins available for purchase, but most players don’t get them.
🛡️ Sweepstakes Law in California
California sweepstakes law does not require such sites to carry a license. This means it is easier for such sites to set up and offer their services in CA. Most online sweepstakes casinos are currently available in the Golden State, so you’ve got plenty to compare and choose from.
🎲 Social Casino-Style Games
You’ve got the chance to play lots of social casino-style games. The best sites offer hundreds, many of which appear at traditional online casinos too. This means you won’t miss out on playing some famous titles, with Starburst, Big Bass Bonanza, and Gates of Olympus just three I’ve been able to play of late.
Pros and cons of playing at sites abiding by California sweepstakes rules
- It doesn’t cost anything to play
- Many offer social media pages with news and competitions
- You can enjoy a mix of social games
- It can take a while to pick up enough Sweeps Coins to play with
Confirmed: California sweepstakes law allows this type of site to operate
Enjoy social games with Gold Coins and never part with a penny. Start collecting Sweeps Coins as you go and save those for a chance at playing sweepstakes games later. You can redeem any Sweeps Coins you win to get a real prize, so there are still prize possibilities available for Californians at these sites.
Our favorite bonuses for May
1.
125 Sweepstakes Coins
+ 625K GC + 1250 VIP Points
2.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase - 1.5M CC +
75 SC
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
3.
560K GC ,
56 SC
5% Rakeback
Wagering (WR): 3x
4.
May Special: 57500 Gold Coins ,
27.5 SC
5.
700 H5C ,
60 SC
400 Diamonds
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus
California sweepstakes law FAQs
💰 Can I redeem winnings for cash at sweepstakes casinos?
You can only redeem Sweeps Coins winnings for a real prize, which might involve cash or a gift card depending on the site.
🔄 Can I swap Gold Coins for Sweeps Coins?
No - the two coin types are not interchangeable.
🏛️ Is it legal to use a sweepstakes casino in California?
Yes, sweepstakes casinos are currently legal in the state.
