The California Senate voted 36-0 to send a bill that would ban online sweepstakes casinos in the state back to the Assembly.
AB 831 needs approval in the Assembly since the sweepstakes casino language was substituted into a non-related bill. The legislative session ends Friday.
The bill was amended last week to include language that ensures the typical sweepstakes offered by California businesses for marketing purposes will not be affected by its passage:
This section does not make unlawful game promotions or sweepstakes conducted by for-profit commercial entities on a limited and occasional basis as an advertising and marketing tool that are incidental to substantial bona fide sales of consumer products or services and that are not intended to provide a vehicle for the establishment of ongoing gambling or gaming.
Four tribes protest sweepstakes ban
Four tribes that are against the sweepstakes ban bill protested at the state capitol Monday, according to the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance. The SGLA and the Social and Promotional Games Association have led opposition efforts thus far.
“AB831 is a flawed and rushed bill that lacks broad tribal consensus. As Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria and Big Lagoon Rancheria have made clear, this bill would limit economic options available to tribes and worsen already fragile economic conditions,” SGLA Executive Director Jeff Duncan said.
“What California lawmakers should focus on instead is creating proper regulation that supports online social games, creates new revenue sources for the state and protects economic opportunities for all tribes.”
AB 831 is supported by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association. Chairman James Siva said sweepstakes groups are trying to divide tribal nations, suggesting the tactic lacked imagination.
