Gavin Newsom must make a call this week on whether or not he will sign California‘s pending ban on sweepstakes casinos.
The governor has until Sunday to act on legislation passed on the final day of California’s 2025 legislative session, which includes AB 831. The bill would become law if he decides not to sign or veto the bill.
AB 831 would outlaw all sweepstakes casinos in the state that work off the dual-currency system of coins that cannot be exchanged for prizes and those that can be exchanged for prizes.
Newsom has not indicated where he stands on the bill, though it is noteworthy that the legislation received zero no votes in the legislature and generated much support for the tribes against the bill. The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance has requested the governor veto the legislation.
SGLA wants sweepstake casinos regulated
The trade association representing social gaming operators again called for both California and New York, which also has a sweepstakes ban bill awaiting a signature, to veto during its Online Social Games Expo panel held on Friday. The group held the panel as it alleges the SGLA and its members were denied the opportunity to join in discussions during this week’s Global Gaming Expo.
The webinar was under an hour and mostly regurgitated group talking points concerning using sweepstakes as a marketing tool and how their players do not primarily play to win money.
That claim was disputed by the results of a survey conducted for the American Gaming Association, which found that 65% of non-paying sweepstakes casino player respondents are most motivated to play by the chance of winning money.
Eric Wright, CEO of the economic development arm for the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, again voiced that the bill works against smaller tribes that do not have gaming opportunities like those in support of AB 831.
