CA AB831 seeks to ban sweepstakes gambling
CA AB831 could cut CA players off from sweepstakes sites Club WPT gold, Global Poker, Clubs Poker, Stake.us.
News went p
They didn't pass the bill. They approved it being put on suspense file.
"In California's legislative process, a "suspense file" is a mechanism used by the Assembly and Senate Appropriations committees to hold bills with significant financial implications."
Looks to me like the suspense hearing is tomorrow, 8/20.
The committee is meeting tomorrow but 831 isn’t on the agenda. Perhaps on the Aug 25th meeting.
I read that sending to suspense is a favorite way to kill a bill because politicians can kill a bill without voting no on it. But that’s just for some that get sent to suspense.
Wow, I'm surprised to see Native American tribes in opposition to this. Anyone know why? I'd thought they'd want online sweeps sites gone yesterday
I think those are very small tribes that either don’t own a casino and perhaps want to do something online like this, or might just essentially be hired by the pro sweepstakes side to be against this bill. Any real tribe with money and influence wants sweeps gone.
https://www.covers.com/industry/california-suspense-file-sweepstakes-casinos-sports-betting-ban-bill-august-2025
Monday’s hearing saw some brief statements in opposition to the A.B. 831. The Kletsel Economic Development Authority (KEDA), a federally chartered corporation of the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, was among those voicing opposition to the bill. The tribe and sweeps operator VGW have announced a partnership in California.
“This bill lacks unanimous support among California tribes, has advanced without meaningful consultation with many of us, and threatens our inherent right to operate legitimate revenue streams to support our people, ” Eric Wright, KEDA’s CEO, told the committee. “Digital platforms offer one of the few viable ways for geographically isolated tribes to fund essential services, such as health care, education, housing, food security, [and] social programs.”
https://www.covers.com/industry/california-suspense-file-sweepstakes-casinos-sports-betting-ban-bill-august-2025Monday's hearing saw some brief statements in opposition to the A.B. 831. The Kletsel Economic Development Authority (KEDA), a federally chartered corporation of the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, was among those voicing opposition to the bill. The tribe and sweeps opera
I guess no surprise this small and isolated tribe entered into an agreement with a sweepstakes company to offer those games in California last week: https://www.vgw.co/latest-news/media-rel...
VGW owns global poker.
Not sure they have the political pull to fight the very rich and connected larger tribes, but maybe just enough
Jetto,
This would be fine with me. As long as it is well run and regulated. By well run i mean the setup of tournaments and cash games available as well as proper software.
I have never played on GG but if I can count on getting deposits and withdrawals quickly then its a huge win.
I live in CA so **** those people
if GG allows multiple states such that even the sweeps stakes states getting "unbanned" and able to play then I am also okay with it.
if it allows states + international like old FTP/PS days. I am okay with it.
if it is like it has been with PS where its only limited to 5-6 states, then thats going to be very very unfortunate, I hop them partnering with Cesar's means they have some kind of "push". we dont like monopolys but if its a super large pool with great rakeback and benefits + then something of hope
Looks like 8/29 is hearing for suspense file items
Then they have until 9/12 to vote on bills for the year
Wow, I'm surprised to see Native American tribes in opposition to this. Anyone know why? I'd thought they'd want online sweeps sites gone yesterday
Its honestly absurd that tribes have been given such a strong hold over gambling legislation. A lot of the time they arent even natives either
The California Senate's Appropriations Committee just unanimously passed AB831, the sweepstakes casino ban bill. Now heads to the Senate floor for a vote
That committee also includes two republicans. Tribal influence is bipartisan. They need to vote in next two weeks. The question is probably how soon ClubWPT cuts off Californians after bill pass.
https://ktla.com/news/l-a-city-attorney-...
unless there's some sort of miracle, its over 4 california. im so sad =(......
where yall plan on moving to/ playing if u live in a banned sweeps state?
https://x.com/wallachlegal/status/196521...
I guess thats it for cali? wonder how much time we got left.....
https://x.com/wallachlegal/status/196521...
I guess thats it for cali? wonder how much time we got left.....
Hopefully end of the year
Bill passed CA Assembly unanimously. Will go to Newsom at some point, don't know when that is, he is pro tribe so its inevitable.
Looks like end of year at best for players. The sites could choose to pull out early.
I hate America. While the cities and culture is cool in some areas, its level of "freedom" is not that special anymore. Doing **** like this is so dirty, like man, who gives a ****.
But hey kids (18 year olds are kids) keep going to those indian casinos and gambling online on ridiculous in game sports wagers. Nothing to see here religious organizations.
Go **** yourselves
Newsom signed the bill today. Will become law Jan 1st
I just want to play online poker. This is crazy. I don't want to go to some backhole shady online company in who knows where. WPT Gold's software is an utter joke but its about all I have. I've signed up for ignition and play global here and there but would prefer a legitimate US allowed site in my state (Mass.) Its been over a decade, this is so lame.
I just want to play online poker. This is crazy. I don't want to go to some backhole shady online company in who knows where. WPT Gold's software is an utter joke but its about all I have. I've signed up for ignition and play global here and there but would prefer a legitimate US allowed site in my state (Mass.) Its been over a decade, this is so lame.
Sorry to inform you but Gold is located in Cyprus. Just because they service American customers and have American ambassadors doesn't mean they aren't a shady offshore company lol. The WPT doesn't even own the site, they license the name and brand
I just want to play online poker. This is crazy. I don't want to go to some backhole shady online company in who knows where. WPT Gold's software is an utter joke but its about all I have. I've signed up for ignition and play global here and there but would prefer a legitimate US allowed site in my state (Mass.) Its been over a decade, this is so lame.
Luckily for you all your states over there are so small you can move 1-2 hours away to an identical town in a different state!
It remains to be seen how things will play out, but we are not a dual currency website. This bill targets those. As I understand it, it will not prevent club wpt gold come Jan 1st.
It remains to be seen how things will play out, but we are not a dual currency website. This bill targets those. As I understand it, it will not prevent club wpt gold come Jan 1st.
I read the bill a few months before it passed and remember something along the lines of.... you aren't able to purchase a product and receive separate goods/services used to gamble. They were prepared on sites changing their models. I have no doubt that Gold will operate past Jan 1st but will be shut down by the state AG shortly after
Sorry to inform you but Gold is located in Cyprus. Just because they service American customers and have American ambassadors doesn't mean they aren't a shady offshore company lol. The WPT doesn't even own the site, they license the name and brand
Probably but there are expanding into Canada and adding PLO so I'm hoping its a work in progress. The software is straight garbage but works well on mobile. Otherwise I would just be on Global, the player pool is tiny on Global but their tournament schedule better aligns for me. The whole casino/sweeps aspect screams super shady to me. I'm doing well on both and building a small bankroll from basically nothing but I would much prefer a "real" site. This is so frustrating, its been 15 years.
I read the bill a few months before it passed and remember something along the lines of.... you aren't able to purchase a product and receive separate goods/services used to gamble. They were prepared on sites changing their models. I have no doubt that Gold will operate past Jan 1st but will be shut down by the state AG shortly after
You're pretty delusional if you think Clubwptgold isn't going to be shut down nearly immediately by California and the AG, Doug. I'm not saying you are saying that but California is being very aggressive about this stuff. Gold is screwed without California. The days are numbered and the lack of care and giving a **** about the software and garbage customer service are reflective of that.
Lets see how it plays out.
I would also note, a no California US site would still have significant volume. 41 states including Texas plus Florida would be a good place to play poker.
Lets see how it plays out.
I would also note, a no California US site would still have significant volume. 41 states including Texas plus Florida would be a good place to play poker.
I think they can survive without Cali but it isn't going to stop with Cali either. Multiple states per year are going to do this moving forward. These loopholes are being closed in the entire country
