California Sweepstakes Casinos

Introduction

California's sweepstakes landscape changed significantly following the passage of Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831) in 2025. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law, with the new rules taking effect on January 1, 2026.

The legislation prohibits online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency model and simulate traditional gambling or sports betting. As a result, sweepstakes platforms that previously served California residents are no longer available under the prohibited model.

This guide explains California's current position on sweepstakes platforms, what AB 831 changed, how availability has been affected, how the legislation applies to operators and supporting businesses, and what California players should know about free-to-play sweepstakes gaming.

Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal in California?

California's legal position is now different from states where sweepstakes platforms continue to operate.

AB 831 prohibits online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency system and simulate traditional gambling or sports betting. The legislation was passed unanimously and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2025, becoming effective on January 1, 2026. 

The law targets sweepstakes-style online gaming models that use two virtual currencies, including systems where one currency is purchased while another promotional currency can be used for games and may qualify for prizes.

AB 831 also addresses businesses and individuals that knowingly support prohibited online sweepstakes games. This can include payment processors, platform providers, content developers, and affiliate marketers when they knowingly and intentionally engage in, promote, or facilitate prohibited activity. Ancillary or publicly available infrastructure providers are not automatically covered when they are unknowingly or unintentionally used in connection with prohibited games.

Importantly, individual players are not subject to penalties under AB 831. The legislation instead focuses on operators and parties that knowingly support, promote, or facilitate prohibited online sweepstakes games.

The law also preserves legitimate non-gambling promotional sweepstakes.

Dual-Currency Sweepstakes Models

Traditional sweepstakes platforms commonly use two virtual currencies:

• Gold Coins (GC), generally intended for entertainment gameplay.
• Sweeps Coins (SC), promotional entries that may qualify for prize redemption under platform rules.

Under AB 831, this type of dual-currency structure can fall within the prohibited activity when used in an online sweepstakes game that meets the law's requirements.

The bottom line is that sweepstakes platforms using the prohibited dual-currency model are not available under California law as of 2026.

California Sweepstakes Laws and the Tribal Gaming Debate

California's sweepstakes legislation is closely connected to the state's existing tribal gaming framework.

Supporters of AB 831 argued that sweepstakes games infringed upon the exclusive rights of tribes to offer gaming in California and that legislation was necessary to address unregulated betting activity.

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) supported the legislation, along with several large tribal organizations. However, not all tribal nations supported AB 831. 

Opposing tribes argued that the ban could reduce economic opportunities for smaller tribes that do not operate large established casinos and could affect tribal sovereignty and participation in emerging digital industries.

The debate therefore extended beyond sweepstakes platforms themselves, raising broader questions about California's tribal gaming system and the future of digital gaming opportunities.

The legislation followed several months of debate during 2025. It passed the California Senate unanimously before advancing through the Assembly and ultimately being signed by Governor Newsom.

The final law prohibits specified online sweepstakes games and establishes penalties for prohibited activity. Operating an online sweepstakes game prohibited by AB 831 can constitute a misdemeanor, with penalties including a fine of between $1,000 and $25,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

At the same time, legitimate non-gambling promotional sweepstakes remain outside the prohibition.

Are Sweepstakes Platforms Available Throughout California?

No, sweepstakes platforms using the prohibited dual-currency model are not available to California residents under the law that took effect on January 1, 2026.

Before AB 831, California residents could access various sweepstakes platforms that used Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. The new legislation changed that position statewide.

Because the law applies across California, availability is not determined by individual cities or counties. A platform that is prohibited under AB 831 cannot simply remain available in one part of the state while being restricted in another.

California residents should therefore check an operator's current state eligibility information before attempting to participate. It is also important not to confuse technical website accessibility with legal availability. A website being accessible does not establish that its operation or promotion complies with California law.

What Gambling Is Legal in California?

California permits certain forms of gambling, including:

• Cardrooms
• Indian casinos
• The California State Lottery
• Pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing
• Charitable gaming

Commercial casino-style gaming is prohibited, while certain casino-style games such as slot machines are permitted at Indian casinos.

California's tribal gaming framework has existed since 1988, when the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed federally recognized tribes to operate gaming on tribal lands subject to applicable tribal-state compacts.

79 gaming tribes operate gaming services on tribal lands, and these operations generate approximately $8 billion in annual revenue.

California does not currently permit statewide online casino gaming.

Sports betting and online betting are also not currently legal in California. The state has previously considered proposals to expand sports wagering, including competing ballot measures that would have changed who could offer sports betting and how it would operate.

These proposals illustrate the broader debate surrounding gambling in California, particularly the balance between tribal gaming rights, state regulation, economic development, and consumer protection.

How Did Sweepstakes Platforms Work in California?

A defining feature of the sweepstakes model was the availability of free methods of entry. Players did not necessarily need to purchase Gold Coins to participate in qualifying sweepstakes promotions.

Before AB 831 took effect, sweepstakes platforms commonly used two virtual currencies.

• Gold Coins

Gold Coins were generally used for entertainment gameplay. They typically did not carry prize value and were not eligible for prize redemption.

Players could receive Gold Coins through registration offers, daily promotions, social activities, and other promotional opportunities. Some platforms also allowed players to purchase Gold Coin packages.

• Sweeps Coins

Sweeps Coins were promotional entries that could be used on eligible games and potentially qualify for prize redemption, subject to the platform's rules.

Players could receive Sweeps Coins through different promotional methods, including free methods of entry.

The exact rules varied between platforms, including eligibility requirements, entry limits, play requirements, and prize-redemption conditions.

However, the California legislation changed the legal position for online sweepstakes games using the prohibited dual-currency model. California residents should therefore not assume that a previously available free-entry method remains permitted under current California law.

Responsible Play in California

Sweepstakes gaming should always be treated as entertainment, and responsible play remains important.

California residents should also understand that free-to-play does not mean every sweepstakes platform is legally available in the state.

Do not attempt to bypass an operator's California restrictions or participate through methods designed to circumvent location controls.

For residents participating in permitted sweepstakes promotions or other legal gaming activities, responsible habits include:

• Set personal time limits
• Take regular breaks
• Keep purchases within a predetermined budget
• Do not chase losses
• Avoid playing when stressed or upset
• Read promotional terms before participating
• Understand the rules before using any virtual currency
• Stop participating if gaming stops being enjoyable

If you choose to purchase Gold Coin packages on a platform that is legally available to you elsewhere, treat those purchases as entertainment spending and stay within a budget you can comfortably afford.

Age requirements varied between individual sweepstakes platforms. Some platforms required users to be at least 18, while others required users to be 21 or older.

California residents should not assume that meeting an operator's minimum age requirement makes participation lawful. Under the current legal framework, the nature of the sweepstakes model and whether it falls within AB 831 are more important considerations.

How We Evaluate New Sweepstakes Platforms for California Players

California requires a different approach to evaluating new sweepstakes platforms because the state prohibits the online sweepstakes models covered by AB 831.

A platform should not be seen as suitable for California simply because it is new, widely advertised, or available elsewhere in the United States.

The first step would be to determine whether the platform serves California residents and whether its structure falls within the type of online sweepstakes game prohibited under California law.

The platform’s currency system should then be examined, with particular attention to whether it uses a dual-currency model involving entertainment currency and promotional entries.

Free methods of entry are another important factor to analyze. Although free entry is a defining feature of many sweepstakes platforms, the availability of a free method of entry does not, by itself, establish compliance with California law.

The assessment should also encompass the platform’s official rules, state restrictions, promotions, game selection, customer support, security measures, and prize-redemption procedures.

For California specifically, however, legal compliance and state availability take priority over promotional offers or game selection.

How to Choose the Best Sweepstakes Platforms in California

At present, California residents should not choose a sweepstakes platform simply because it advertises itself as free-to-play, no purchase necessary, or available to US players.

The first step is to check the platform's current California eligibility information and review its official rules.

The next step is to determine whether the platform's structure falls within the type of online sweepstakes game prohibited by AB 831.

The use of Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins is particularly important because the legislation specifically addresses online sweepstakes games that use a dual-currency system.

Players should also review whether the platform clearly explains its free methods of entry, promotions, account requirements, and prize-redemption rules.

However, for California residents, these features cannot override the state's legal restrictions.

If you are researching new sweepstakes platforms in the US, remember that availability differs between states. A platform may be available in another state while being unavailable in California.

California residents should therefore prioritize current state eligibility and applicable law over promotional size, game selection, or claims that a platform is available nationwide.

Play responsibly and treat sweepstakes gaming as entertainment.

21+ where required. No purchase necessary where applicable. Void where prohibited by law. See official rules and Terms of Use.

Written by: Shelly Schiff