California Sweepstakes Casino Ban Bill Advances to Senate Floor

The fight over sweepstakes casinos in California is heating up again. Assembly Bill 831, a measure that would outlaw online sweepstakes platforms using a dual-currency model, has cleared another hurdle in Sacramento and is now heading to the Senate floor.

Good to Know

• A.B. 831 would ban online sweepstakes casinos and sports betting using “dual currency” models.
• Offenders could face up to one year in jail and fines between $1,000 and $25,000.
• The bill has tribal support, though some tribes oppose it, citing economic concerns.

The bill, authored by Assemblymember Avelino Valencia, was advanced unanimously (7-0) by the California Senate Appropriations Committee during its suspense hearing. These hearings move bills forward quickly, often without debate, setting them up for a full floor vote or quietly shelving them.

What the Bill Would Do

If passed into law, A.B. 831 would make it illegal to operate sweepstakes casinos that use two types of in-game currency—one free and one paid—that allow players to wager on casino-style games or sports betting. Operators caught running such platforms could be charged with a misdemeanor and face both jail time and financial penalties.

The measure was amended in June to explicitly target sweepstakes models and has been making its way through Senate committees ever since. The deadline for the legislature to pass bills this session is September 12, leaving a tight window for lawmakers to act.

Committee Chair Sen. Anna Caballero stressed that the vote to advance A.B. 831 was procedural. “The fact that any of us vote for an item in committee today does not mean that particular member is necessarily going to vote for the item on the floor,” she explained.

Tribal Voices Split

California tribes remain divided over the proposal. Support comes from groups like the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA). Both argue that sweepstakes platforms undercut tribal exclusivity in gaming.

“The state’s voters have consistently shown their trust in Native American tribes to operate gaming facilities responsibly and ethically,” the San Manuel Nation said in a written statement. “Allowing unregulated and predatory sweepstakes operators to bypass these regulations undermines that trust and integrity of California’s gaming policies.”

But not all tribes agree. The Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians has voiced opposition, saying a blanket ban would hurt tribes seeking new digital business models.

“Eliminating legitimate, regulated digital enterprise will only deepen the disparities our people face,” wrote Buffey Bourassa, the tribe’s secretary. “We urge the Committee to reject AB 831 and instead support policy solutions that empower all tribes to diversify economically and chart a path toward sustainable self-governance and prosperity.”

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