AB 831 Passes California Senate

The California Senate has passed AB 831 with a unanimous 36-0 vote in favor. The bill restricts the operation and promotion of casino-style sweepstakes gaming in the state. 

With Senate approval, it now moves to the Assembly for consideration. Tribal entities in California remain divided, as they are not yet aligned on whether to support AB 831. This development also comes after the state filed a civil lawsuit against a sweepstakes casino operator and its partners.

These ongoing actions in California could have a significant impact on sweepstakes casino gaming across the United States.

What this means for Sweepstakes Gaming

The law specifically targets sweepstakes casinos offering casino-style games through a dual-currency model that awards sweepstakes prizes.

The amendments were designed to address senators’ concerns raised in committee hearings, ultimately securing unanimous support for AB 831. In the Assembly, stakeholders are expected to lobby lawmakers in hopes of either repeating that success or preventing it.

Sweepstakes operators face high stakes in California, not only because of the state’s large player base but also because the outcome could set off ripple effects nationwide.

References

• California Senate
• California Gambling Control Commission