California’s sweepstakes casino era has officially ended. Assembly Bill 831 took effect on January 1, 2026, after being signed on November 10, 2025.
Read on for a breakdown of how the ban came about, the current situation, and the risks it poses to you as a player.
You can’t legally play sweepstakes casinos from California anymore. AB 831 took effect on January 1, 2026, making California’s sweepstakes ban one of the broadest in the country. That new law doesn’t just target operators; it also reaches payment processors, geolocation providers, content suppliers, and media affiliates. Major brands geofenced California by December 31, 2025, after Governor Gavin Newsom signed the bill in October. The law passed both chambers without a single opposing vote, so the political ground for a reversal is thin.
Below, we walk through what the law does and cover any other questions you might have.
| Are sweepstakes casinos illegal in California? | Yes. AB 831 made operating or supporting dual-currency sweepstakes a misdemeanor in California, effective January 1, 2026. |
| Who can be charged under AB 831? | Operators, payment processors, financial institutions, geolocation providers, gaming content suppliers, platform operators, and media affiliates that knowingly support the industry. |
| What’s the penalty for breaking AB 831? | A misdemeanor with a $1,000 to $25,000 fine per violation, up to one year in county jail, or both. |
| Did California enforce against sweepstakes before AB 831? | Yes. In August 2025, the LA City Attorney filed a first-of-its-kind civil action against Stake.us and several vendors, even before AB 831 was signed. |
| Could the ban be reversed? | Unlikely soon. AB 831 passed the Assembly 79-0 and the Senate unanimously. Reversing a unanimous ban would take a major political shift. |
| What gambling is legal in California? | Tribal casinos (60+ across the state), the California State Lottery, parimutuel horse racing, and licensed card rooms for poker and certain table games. No commercial casinos, no online casinos, no statewide sports betting. |
| Can I sign up to a sweepstakes site from California? | All major brands are geofenced in California. Some sites might still accept sign-up, but they violate the law. |
| Can I get in trouble as a player for using sweepstakes from California? | No. AB 831 targets operators and the broader ecosystem, not the players who use these sites. |
| What if I still had a balance when sites pulled out? | If you didn’t redeem your Sweeps Coins by December 31, 2025, you may have forfeited the balance depending on each platform’s terms. Contact platform support directly if you think you still have an unredeemed balance. |
| Can I use a VPN to keep playing? | No. Sites verify your location at every login and close accounts that try to fake it. Most have completely geofenced California, so even a VPN-connected account won’t get past their checks. |
Feb 18, 2025 — AB 831 introduced
Late June 2025 — Bill amended to dual-currency definition
Sept 8, 2025 — Senate passes 36-0
Sept 12, 2025 — Assembly concurs in amendments
Oct 11, 2025 — Gov. Newsom signs into law
Jan 1, 2026 — Takes effect
Sites that explicitly ban players from California
Compare California to other US states in the region.
No. AB 831 banned online sweepstakes casinos in California as of January 1, 2026. The law added Section 337o to the Penal Code and amended Section 17539.1 of the Business and Professions Code, making it illegal for operators to run any site built on the gold coin and sweeps coin setup. The ban also covers the businesses behind them, like payment processors and geolocation providers.
No, and California has no online casino licensing for one to fit under. The state’s legal gambling runs through tribal casinos, card rooms, the lottery, and horse racing, none of which cover online play. So, a sweepstakes site could never hold a California license. With AB 831 in force since January 2026, the point is settled twice over: not licensed, and now banned.
There is no active legal challenge that has paused or suspended AB 831. The bill passed 36-0 in the Senate and 63-0 in the Assembly, which signals broad political backing and makes a legislative reversal unlikely any time soon.
That depends on the operator and where you go. Sweepstakes platforms check your physical location, not your residency. If you are in a state where the operator still accepts players, the geolocation check should let you play. Read the operator’s terms before you assume anything.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. AB 831 is a new law, and how operators, regulators, and courts apply it will keep evolving. If you have specific concerns about your account, balance, or legal exposure, talk to a licensed attorney in California.
