Online sweepstakes casinos have been banned in California since January 1, 2026, under AB 831. The law makes it a misdemeanor to run, offer or knowingly support a dual-currency casino-style game that awards cash prizes.
California residents can still try card crush sites, mystery boxes and card rip apps, which are covered below. The California Lottery, tribal casinos and licensed cardrooms remain legal. AB 831 does not reach Gold Coin play with no cash prizes.
Our state-by-state hub compares California with every other state. Verify current laws in your jurisdiction before playing.
California’s Sweepstakes Casino Ban Under AB 831
AB 831 added Penal Code § 337o and amended Business and Professions Code § 17539.1. Governor Newsom signed it on October 11, 2025, and it took effect on January 1, 2026.
The bill passed with no votes against it. The Assembly approved it 77-0, the Senate 36-0, and the final concurrence vote was 79-0.
What the Law Bans
Section 337o(a) says it is unlawful “to operate, conduct, or offer an online sweepstakes game in this state.” A game counts only if it meets all four tests below.
1. Access: the game is available on the internet or on a phone, computer or similar device. 2. Two coins: a dual-currency system lets players use purchased or free coins and become eligible for prizes. 3. Casino-style play: the game simulates casino games, including slots, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo and sports picks. 4. Cash prizes: the game awards cash or cash equivalents.
That describes the standard sweepstakes casino model of Gold Coins and redeemable Sweeps Coins. Section 337o(c)(2) counts free coins as indirect consideration, so free entry is not a way out.
Who the Law Reaches
Section 337o(b) goes beyond operators. It covers anyone who knowingly and willfully supports the operation or promotion of these games in California.
- Financial institutions and payment processors.
- Geolocation providers and platform providers.
- Game content suppliers.
- Media affiliates, a term the law does not define.
The bill’s intent section says it targets those who “knowingly and intentionally” promote these games. It does not target services used without their knowledge.
Penalties Under Section 337o
A violation is a misdemeanor. The table sets out the penalty range in § 337o(d).
| Penalty | Range |
|---|---|
| Fine | $1,000 to $25,000 |
| County jail | Up to one year |
| Both | A court may impose a fine and jail together |
What the Law Does Not Cover
AB 831 leaves several activities untouched. Each exception below comes from the text of the law.
- Games run by cardrooms licensed under California’s cardroom law.
- The California State Lottery.
- Occasional business promotions tied to real sales of products or services.
- Games that do not award cash prizes or cash equivalents, such as Gold Coin play.
Section 337o Has No Separate Player Offense
Section 337o names operators and the businesses that support them. It does not create a separate offense for a person who plays.
California’s older laws still apply, and Penal Code § 330 reaches people who play banking games. Ask a lawyer about your own situation.
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Alternatives to Sweepstakes Casinos in California
Three types of collectible and prize sites work differently from sweepstakes casinos. No California court or agency has ruled on whether AB 831 covers them.
| Alternative | What you get | Minimum age stated | Where to compare sites |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card crush | Digital card packs and site coins | 18, or 21 where required | crush-cards.com |
| Mystery boxes | A random item, which can often be sold back for site credit | 18 | mistery-boxes.com |
| Card rips and card collecting | Graded physical trading cards | 18 | mycardrips.com |
Card Crush Sites
Card crush sites sell digital card packs and give site coins as you open them. Crush-cards.com ranks CardCrush and similar card-pack brands.
Crush-cards.com says CardCrush uses Mystery Coins that can be redeemed, with a $10 minimum. Check each brand’s own Terms for California, because AB 831 may apply to coins that redeem for cash.
Mystery Boxes
Mystery box sites sell boxes that hold a random item, such as sneakers or electronics. Mistery-boxes.com ranks these sites, and many let you sell an item back for site credit.
Its own California guide calls the legal position “unsettled.” Read each box site’s Terms before you buy.
Card Rips and Card Collecting
Card rip apps sell digital packs that hold real, graded trading cards. You can keep the card in a vault, have it shipped or sell it back to the app.
Mycardrips.com reviews these apps and tracks their buyback rates. It measured buybacks from 84.6% to a little over 100% of a card’s value.
California Sweepstakes Timeline
These dated events shape the position in California today. Each comes from a state record, official release or operator Terms.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 5, 2025 | The Assembly passes AB 831, 77-0. |
| July 3, 2025 | The Attorney General issues an opinion that daily fantasy sports are illegal in California. |
| September 4, 2025 | The Los Angeles City Attorney sues an offshore sweepstakes operator, a streaming platform and game suppliers. |
| September 8, 2025 | The Senate passes AB 831, 36-0. |
| September 12, 2025 | The Assembly approves Senate changes, 79-0. |
| October 11, 2025 | Governor Newsom signs AB 831 as Chapter 623, Statutes of 2025. |
| January 1, 2026 | Penal Code § 337o and the amended § 17539.1 take effect. |
| October 5, 2026 | Mega Bonanza’s Terms v2.9 list California as an excluded state. |
What Happened to Sweepstakes Sites in California
None of the 20 sites Clovr reviews offers prize play in California as of October 12, 2026. Some still allow Gold Coin play with no cash prizes.
| Sites | California status | Source checked |
|---|---|---|
| McLuck, Hello Millions and SpinBlitz | No promotional contests in California | Terms dated July 15, 2026, and help centers |
| PlayFame | No promotional contests in California | Terms v2.5 dated July 15, 2026 |
| Mega Bonanza | Excluded | Terms v2.9, clause 3.4, dated October 5, 2026 |
| 15 sites run by UTech Solutions and A1 Development | Gold Coin play only, or Tournament Points mode at one site | Each site’s Terms, clause 3.4 |
Gold Coins have no cash value, and AB 831 does not make games without cash prizes unlawful. Our Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins explainer covers the difference.
You cannot win or redeem prizes at these sites from California. Check each site’s Terms for how it handled existing balances.
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Terms 21+
What the Ban Means for California Players
You can no longer play for cash prizes at the sweepstakes sites Clovr reviews from California. The steps below help you handle what is left.
- Avoid any site that still offers prize redemptions in California, because it may be violating § 337o.
- Keep records of any old purchases and redemptions.
- Gold Coin play is still allowed at sites that offer it, but it carries no prize value.
- Read the Terms of any alternative site for its California rules before you buy.
How to Check an Alternative Site Before You Buy
Alternative sites vary widely in how they work and where they operate. Run through these checks before you spend money on any of them.
1. Read the site’s Terms for a list of excluded states, and confirm California is not on it. 2. Check the minimum age, which is 18 at some sites and 21 at others. 3. Find out whether prizes are physical items, site coins or cash, and how each is delivered. 4. Look for a buyback or sell-back option and the percentage it pays. 5. Check how the site handles payments, refunds and shipping costs.
A site that offers casino-style games with cash prizes in California falls under the ban. Our guide to how sweepstakes casinos work explains that model.
Enforcement and Lawsuits in California
Clovr found no public prosecution under § 337o since January 1, 2026. It also found no court challenge to AB 831.
On September 4, 2025, before the ban, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed suit. It named an offshore sweepstakes operator, a streaming platform and several game suppliers. The case was filed under California’s unfair competition and false advertising laws.
A 2026 bill on minors and online play, AB 2617, has no recorded action since March 17, 2026. Clovr found no bill that would change § 337o.
What Remains Legal in California
California still allows several forms of regulated gaming. The table lists the main ones as of October 2026.
| Activity | Status in California | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California Lottery | Legal for players 18 or older | California Lottery |
| Tribal casinos | 67 casinos run by 64 tribes | CGCC, the state commission that licenses cardrooms |
| Cardrooms | 78 licensed cardrooms with 2,243 tables | CGCC, the state commission that licenses cardrooms |
| Charitable bingo and raffles | Legal for qualifying nonprofits | Penal Code §§ 326.5 and 320.5 |
| Gold Coin play with no cash prizes | Not made unlawful by AB 831 | Business and Professions Code § 17539.1 |
| Daily fantasy sports | Not legal, per a July 3, 2025 Attorney General opinion | Opinion No. 23-1001 |
| Online sweepstakes casinos | Banned since January 1, 2026 | Penal Code § 337o |
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- + 50 Free MC Spins
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- Up to 45 MC Referral Bonus
- VIP Exclusive Perks
- Surprise Daily Reward Drops
Terms 21+
Taxes on Prizes in California
California taxes most prizes as income. The Franchise Tax Board says it does not tax California Lottery prizes.
- State: the top rate is 12.3%, plus 1% on income over $1,000,000.
- Federal: a payer generally files Form 1099-MISC once your prizes from it reach $2,000 in a year, starting with 2026.
- Records: keep a list of every prize and its value.
Speak with a tax professional about large prizes. Clovr does not give tax advice.
Responsible Gaming Resources in California
The California Problem Gambling Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-GAMBLER, text SUPPORT to 53342, or chat at 800gambler.chat.
Our responsible gaming page explains how to set limits and take a break.
Sources for This California Guide
Clovr checked each source below on October 12, 2026. Trackers and other review sites were used only as leads.
- AB 831, Chapter 623, Statutes of 2025, Penal Code § 337o and Business and Professions Code § 17539.1 (Legislature data).
- Attorney General Opinion No. 23-1001 (July 3, 2025) and the Los Angeles City Attorney release (September 4, 2025).
- CGCC compact and cardroom pages, plus the California Lottery FAQ.
- Franchise Tax Board income page and IRS Instructions for Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC (2026).
- Each operator’s Terms and help center, and the pages of crush-cards.com, mistery-boxes.com and mycardrips.com.
Sweepstakes Casinos in California FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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What happened to my Sweeps Coins balance on McLuck, Pulsz, or WOW Vegas?
California players had until 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2025 to redeem their Sweeps Coins. After that deadline, SC gameplay and redemptions ended for California users. Check your email and account history for redemption records or unresolved balances.
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Is the California sweepstakes ban permanent?
Yes. AB 831 is a permanent law with no expiration date. No legal challenge had suspended it as of June 2026, and repeal appears unlikely.
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Can I use a VPN to access a banned sweepstakes casino?
Using a VPN is not a crime under AB 831, but it usually violates the operator’s terms. This may lead to account closure, frozen balances, or failed identity verification. There is no compliant way to bypass California restrictions.
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Did I break the law by playing before January 1, 2026?
No. AB 831 targets operators, payment providers, platform providers, and affiliates, not players. California users face no retroactive criminal liability.
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Is Card Crush legal and safe in California?
Card Crush uses one redeemable currency, Mystery Coins, rather than a dual-currency model. This may place it outside AB 831 under the current interpretation.
However, California regulators have not formally confirmed the model’s long-term legality. Review the platform’s terms before adding funds.
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What legal casino-style gambling is available in California?
California residents may use tribal casinos, licensed card rooms, the California State Lottery, and parimutuel ADW platforms such as GiddyUp and Horseplay.
Single-currency platforms such as Card Crush may also offer real-prize play, although their long-term regulatory status remains unsettled. California does not have regulated online casinos or legal online sports betting.
Related Reading
These Clovr guides cover the law and other states.
- Our guide to whether sweepstakes casinos are legal explains the prize, chance and consideration test.
- The Nevada sweepstakes guide covers a neighboring state with its own restrictions.
- Clovr’s Oregon sweepstakes guide covers a neighboring state where sites still accept players.
- Our Arizona sweepstakes guide covers a neighboring state where sites still accept players.
Clovr may earn a commission when you sign up through affiliate links on this page. This never affects our reviews, which stay independent and unbiased.
Sweepstakes play should stay fun. If you or someone you know needs support, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER.
