Even though online sweepstakes casinos will become illegal in California starting on Jan. 1, 2026, one of the largest operators in the industry is working on a strategy to creatively remain in the state experts estimate makes up nearly 20% of the United States sweeps market.
Modo Casino sent an email to its California players on Thursday with the subject line: Update to your Modo Casino Experience in California.
In the email, Modo Casino informed its California players they’ll “be hearing more from us soon with details” regarding the site’s future in California for 2026 and beyond.
‘Deliver a fun and rewarding experience for all California players after’ Jan. 1, 2026
This is what Modo Casino’s email to its California players says:
“We wanted to let you know that California recently passed AB831, a new law, that will end sweepstakes (SC) gameplay in the state beginning January 1, 2026.
“No need to worry about losing access to Modo Casino, our team is already working on updates to ensure we can continue to deliver a fun and rewarding experience for all California players after that date! You’ll be hearing more from us soon with details on what’s next.
“As always, thank you for being a valued member of the Modo community. Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact our friendly Modo Customer Support Team and we will be happy to assist you.”
How might Modo Casino legally stay in CA?
Currently, Modo Casino has Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, and West Virginia on its excluded list.
Modo Casino has a full platform shutdown in its current excluded states, meaning players in these markets don’t have access to any of the site’s games or services — both games using Gold Coins and games using Sweeps Coins, the latter of which is causing sweeps casinos legal and regulatory troubles this year.
Some sweepstakes casinos, however, like VGW’s Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker, still keep their Gold Coin gameplay operational in states on their excluded list. It’s a way to continue generating revenue in more states while still abiding by state laws and cease-and-desist orders that take issue with the Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for actual money.
So perhaps Modo Casino will do that in California — keep the Gold Coin options live in 2026.
However, would the company write it’s “working on updates to ensure we can continue to deliver a fun and rewarding experience” if the strategy was as simple as that? Maybe not.
ClubWPT Gold made a recent strategic decision that offers perhaps a different path.
The sweepstakes poker site eliminated its dual-currency, Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins gaming model. Now, there is just one single currency — Chips — which can be used for both ring games and tournaments, don’t need to be purchased, and can be redeemed for real cash.
So ClubWPT Gold now has a single-currency system, not dual-currency, the model that is targeted in sweeps ban bills in New Jersey and California, for instance.
Now, instead of a second form of currency, players can buy Hand Analysis credits — which give players access to educational tools — and get free Chips as part of that purchase. This sounds a lot like receiving Sweeps Coins as a free part of Gold Coin purchases, but ClubWPT Gold is employing this change to a single-currency model as part of a shift in branding to poker training platform, not a sweeps poker site.
In other words: Hey, lawmakers, we’re an educational site now that uses one currency. Your bills don’t apply to us.
It’s yet to be determined if that change will work, but the fact that ClubWPT Gold went through the trouble to make this change suggests it received legal advice that it would, indeed, make it so the site no longer is governed by sweeps casino bans.
Might Modo Casino be working on a California-specific platform that will be changed and rebranded as a casino gaming educational resource?
9 sweeps casinos have already left
So far, nine sweepstakes casinos have performed early exits, pulling out of California well before sweeps gaming becomes illegal there on Jan. 1, 2026.
The nine operators are:
- High 5 Casino
- Carnival Citi
- Ruby Sweeps
- Dara Casino
- SweepsUSA
- Grand Vault Casino
- TheBoss.Casino
- CosmoSlots
- LuckySlots
Absent from that list are the largest sweeps casino brands, such as VGW, B-Two Operations (McLuck, Hello Millions, SpinBlitz, Mega Bonanza, PlayFame, Jackpota), A1 Development LLC (NoLimitCoins, Tao Fortune, FunzCity, Fortune Wheelz, Funrize, Storm Rush), and Modo Casino’s ARB Interactive.
Last week, Sweepsy learned that WOW Vegas intends to remain in California up until the legal deadline, operating through the end of December.
For smaller operators, though, like most of the nine listed earlier, there’s more motivation to leave well ahead of time. These aren’t huge corporations with deep financial reserves, and even a minor compliance mistake could lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
