Legislation · CA· Updated
California became the largest US state to statutorily ban dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 on October 11, 2025. The law took effect January 1, 2026, amending Penal Code section 337o to criminalize operating, conducting, or promoting online sweepstakes games that use a gold-coin / sweeps-coin dual-currency model with prize redemption.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bill | AB-831 (2025–2026 session) |
| Signed | October 11, 2025 |
| Effective | January 1, 2026 |
| Penalty | Misdemeanor; $1,000–$25,000 fine and/or up to one year in county jail |
| Scope | Operators, promoters, and knowing vendors/affiliates |
What AB-831 actually prohibits
AB-831 does not use the phrase “sweepstakes casino,” but it describes the dual-currency mechanic the industry uses: virtual coins for entertainment play plus a second currency redeemable for cash or prizes. The statute makes it unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or promote such games online in California.
Critically, the liability chain includes payment processors, geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform hosts, and media affiliates who knowingly support prohibited operations. That affiliate exposure is why compliance-focused publishers treat California as a site-wide suppressed state rather than toggling offers brand by brand.
Timeline and operator response
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2025 (session) | AB-831 advances through California Legislature |
| Oct 11, 2025 | Governor Newsom signs AB-831 |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Statute takes effect |
| Q4 2025 – Q1 2026 | Multiple operators geo-block or exit California |
Public reporting documented exits or restrictions from operators including Carnival Citi, High 5 Casino, Ruby Sweeps, and Dara Casino as the ban approached. Other dual-currency brands updated terms to exclude California. Single-currency products marketed only in California and New York (such as Card Crush) occupy a contested separate category — regulatory treatment remains unsettled.
What this means for California players
AB-831’s enforcement focus has been on operators and promoters, not typical players, based on public legislative materials and industry guidance to date. Still, players should expect:
- Geo-blocks on major dual-currency platforms
- Reduced or closed Sweeps Coin redemption paths for CA accounts
- Continued availability of gold-coin-only social casinos (no sweeps redemption) and licensed in-person tribal gaming
Sweepstakes Wiz shows California visitors informational content only and suppresses all affiliate calls-to-action sitewide. For the full California legal guide, see Are sweepstakes casinos legal in California?.
How we track this
Our live legality tracker marks California as banned with high confidence, sourced from the enrolled statute and corroborating trade press. Dataset exports: legality.json · methodology.
This article is informational and is not legal advice. Statutes and operator policies change; verify with qualified counsel for personal questions.
Frequently asked questions
When does California AB-831 take effect?
AB-831 was signed October 11, 2025 and takes effect January 1, 2026. After that date, operating or knowingly promoting prohibited dual-currency online sweepstakes games in California is a misdemeanor.
Does AB-831 ban all online casino-style games in California?
No. The statute targets dual-currency online sweepstakes models where one virtual currency can be redeemed for prizes. Gold-coin-only social casinos and licensed tribal or lottery products are separate categories.
Which sweepstakes casinos left California after AB-831?
Several operators — including Carnival Citi, High 5 Casino, Ruby Sweeps, and Dara Casino — ceased serving California players ahead of or upon enactment. Availability changes operator by operator; verify current terms directly.
Are California affiliates liable under AB-831?
The law extends liability to payment processors, platform vendors, and media affiliates who knowingly and willfully support prohibited operations. That is why many publishers suppress sweepstakes affiliate marketing for California visitors.