Deputy Editor
California poker players must remain in suspense — the same legal state as a bill intended to ban sweepstakes gambling, including poker. Assembly Bill 831 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 7-0 on Monday. But it was placed on suspense file, so it isn’t clear whether it will continue to progress.
Popular poker sites like ClubWPT Gold and Global Poker use the sweepstakes model.
New Jersey recently enacted a ban on sweepstakes gambling sites. Legislation in California and other states threatens to continue shrinking these player pools.
What Does AB 831 Do?
AB 831 makes it “unlawful for any person or entity to operate, conduct, or offer an online sweepstakes game” in California. It establishes penalties of up to $25,000 and one year in jail for violations.
AB 831 specifically targets “dual-currency systems” used by sites like Global Poker. It delineates as illegal ones that “simulate casino-style gaming” such as:
- slot machines
- video poker
- table games (including poker)
- lotteries
- bingo
- sports betting
California has been advancing the anti-sweepstakes bill throughout 2025. It hasn’t received a single no vote while going through multiple committees. Despite its progress, however, it’s uncertain whether that will continue.
Will AB 831 Ultimately Ban Sweepstakes In California?
While AB 831 appears to have considerable momentum due to its legislative progress, several roadblocks remain. The placing of the bill in the suspense file could be an ominous sign, according to at least one industry source. And California tribes aren’t united in backing it, which could contribute to it stalling out.
The suspense file serves to harbor bills that require further discussion and meet certain economic thresholds.
Casino Beats called it a “legislative graveyard” for “controversial or expensive bills” in practice.
Such controversy may stem from disagreement among California’s tribal powers about the anti-sweepstakes bill. While a large contingent of tribes backs the bill, believing it violates their state-compacted exclusivity, at least one recent headline indicates tribal support isn’t unanimous.
VGW Holdings Limited, which owns several online social games as well as Global Poker, announced a “landmark” partnership with Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation of the Cortina Rancheria tribe. A VGW presser on Tuesday outlined the partnership’s opposition to AB 831. They called the bill “rushed and seriously flawed.”
With the battle lines clearly drawn, California poker players will wait and see whether their state follows in the footsteps of New Jersey and gives sweepstakes sites the boot. AB 831 may come up for debate again as soon as Aug. 25.
Image credit: Scazon/Flickr (license)
