California Sweepstakes Casinos 2025

Sweepstakes casinos are no longer legal in California. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831, which bans online sweepstakes casinos that use the dual-currency model, on October 11, 2025.

AB 831 passed through all of the necessary steps of the legal process to go to Newsom’s desk in September 2025. With Newsom’s signature, AB 831 officially becomes law and goes into effect on January 1, 2026.

📰 Latest news updates in California

• October 16, 2025: Casino.click, Hello Millions, LuckyStake, McLuck, PlayFame, Pulsz, Rebet Casino, SpinBlitz, Spinfinite, Thrillzz Casino have all pulled out of California with the ban taking effect in the new year.
• October 15, 2025: High 5 Casino extends its availability in California, with sweepstakes games available through October 20.
• October 11, 2025: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs AB 831, and sweeps casinos are officially banned from operating in California beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
• October 1, 2025: Dara Casino pulls sweepstakes games from California, becoming the fourth sweeps casino to leave the state as AB 831 awaits a final signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

How California got here

California’s land-based casino economy is controlled by the state’s tribal gaming factions. Full-scale casino games are only legal on tribal lands, with more than 60 different tribes involved in ownership throughout the state.

The majority of California’s gaming tribes, as well as social casino operators, took an aggressive stance toward banning sweepstakes casinos in 2025. 

Assembly Bill 831 was introduced to the state Legislature in February, and backed by a coalition of gaming tribes from the outset. After a few revisions, the final version of the bill proposed an outright ban on sweeps casinos that used the familiar dual-currency model of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

AB 831 went through the necessary steps to go before the state Senate on September 6. The Senate passed the bill by a unanimous 36-0 vote.

The state Assembly then advanced the bill by a unanimous 63-0 vote on September 12, sending it to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom for a final signature.

Newsom signed AB 831 on October 11, 2025, and the bill becomes law on January 1, 2026.

⚖️ Are sweepstakes casinos legal in California? 

Yes, but the days of sweepstakes casino gaming appear to be numbered in California. AB 831 bans dual-currency gaming, and the bill passed through all necessary legal hurdles to go to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom for a final signature. Sweeps casinos will officially be prohibited in California on January 1, 2026, barring the unlikely scenario of Newsom vetoing the bill.

In a sweepstakes gaming model, no purchase is necessary to play. This differs from traditional real-money casino gaming, which is only available at in-person locations in California. 

There are no substantive efforts in progress to fully legalize online casino gambling in the state. In 2022, Proposition 26 (which would have allowed in-person sports betting at tribal casinos) and Proposition 27 (which would have legalized online sports betting) failed at the ballot box. 

The state constitution limits gambling to tribal nations, with limited exceptions. Barring changes or a substantial amendment, the debut of California online casinos is unlikely. 

Let’s take a look at the basics of California sweepstakes gaming:

Sweepstakes laws: 

California law does not specifically regulate online sweepstakes casinos, but it does have strict general sweepstakes laws. 

• To avoid being classified as an illegal lottery, all sweepstakes, including those run online, must offer a free, alternative means of entry (AMOE) so that no purchase or payment is required to participate. 
• This AMOE must be clearly disclosed, and entrants using the free method must have an equal chance of winning as those who enter by making a purchase. 
• These requirements ensure that sweepstakes remain legal by eliminating the “consideration” element that would otherwise make them a lottery under California law 

Official rules: 

California law mandates that sweepstakes sponsors provide clear, comprehensive, and conspicuous official rules. These rules must include:

• Eligibility requirements (such as age and residency)
• Entry methods and deadlines
• Prize descriptions and approximate retail values
• Odds of winning each prize
• The legal name and address of the sponsor
• All material conditions to receive the prize
• The actual number of prizes to be awarded
• The date(s) when the final winner(s) will be determined
• A clear “No purchase or payment necessary” statement, or similar wording
• These disclosures must be presented in a way that stands out, such as larger or contrasting type, and must be easily accessible to users. 

Specially selected: 

California law prohibits sweepstakes sponsors and operators from falsely representing that a person has been “specially selected” to win a prize unless it is true. This includes language or techniques that suggest a recipient is a winner, finalist, or part of a limited group with an enhanced chance of winning, when in fact the same message is sent to a broad audience.

If sweepstakes materials claim someone is “specially selected,” but more than 25% of recipients receive the same message, it is considered deceptive, unless the representation is accurate and the exact number of recipients is disclosed. The law also prohibits false claims of special treatment, urgency, or personal attention unless it’s actually substantiated.

Sweepstakes sponsor:

A sweepstakes sponsor in California is defined as:

• A person or entity that operates or administers a sweepstakes, or
• A person or entity that offers, by means of a notice, a prize to another person in conjunction with any real or purported sweepstakes that requires or allows, or creates the impression of requiring or allowing, the person to purchase any goods or services, or pay any money, as a condition of receiving, or in conjunction with allowing the person to receive, use, or obtain a prize or information about a prize.
• A person or entity that merely furnishes a prize in connection with a sweepstakes operated or administered by someone else is not considered a sweepstakes sponsor under California law

California sweepstakes at the federal level

Sweepstakes casinos are currently available in 43 states. Operators generally follow federal sweepstakes laws closely, while additional rules and regulations may apply at the state level.  Federal sweepstakes laws require sweeps contests and casinos to meet the following criteria:

• A sweepstakes is a promotion where prizes are awarded by chance, not skill.
• Sweepstakes cannot require a purchase or payment as a condition for entry.
• Sweepstakes must have official rules that cannot be changed once the contest has begun.
• Sweepstakes winnings of $5,000 or more are subject to a 24% estimated federal income tax.

More sweepstake casino states

📍Local casinos in California

There are no real-money online casinos in California. Outside of sweepstakes sites, the only other alternative is to visit one of the local casinos across the state. Here is a complete list of where you can play casino games in person in California, along with contact information.  

📳 Responsible gambling in California

California’s sweepstakes casinos offer an alternative to traditional online gambling. Responsible gaming practices and tenets remain essential and should be followed at all times. If you or someone you know is facing challenges with online gambling, several support options are available:

• California Gambling Control Commission
• California Council on Problem Gambling
• National Council on Problem Gambling – California
• Problem Gambling Helpline
  • Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
  • Text: SUPPORT to 53342

Final thoughts

California residents who are interested in traditional real-money casino gaming are limited to legal brick-and-mortar locations across the state. There has been no movement toward the legalization of online casinos. 

Sweepstakes casinos are officially prohibited in California beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, and we expect to see all legitimate sweepstakes casino operators leave the state before that deadline.