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California’s Assembly Bill 831, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2025, banned traditional dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos effective Jan. 1, 2026, according to Gambling911. The law is a central distinction in the state’s online poker landscape, where real-money online poker legislation has not passed.
AB 831 targets cash-redeemable sweepstakes games
Gambling911 reports that AB 831 prohibits online sweepstakes casinos using virtual currencies redeemable for cash or prizes. Its account distinguishes those products from free-play social casino games, which it says can still operate legally.
That distinction matters for poker products marketed under a sweepstakes model: the use of virtual currency does not, by itself, put a cash-prize game in the same category as free-play poker.
Offshore poker lacks California oversight
California’s earlier efforts to regulate real-money online poker did not produce legislation. According to Gambling911, tribes disagreed over how the market should be regulated and which companies should receive licenses.
The outlet reports that Californians play through offshore poker platforms, but those sites are not overseen by California regulators. It characterizes that activity as a legal gray area; that description is not a finding that any particular site is lawful.
For in-person poker, the report identifies California venues including The Commerce Casino & Hotel, Parkwest Bicycle Casino, Bay 101 and The Gardens Casino. It also lists Thunder Valley Casino Resort, whose dedicated poker room has 28 tables and can expand to 48.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the California Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), 24/7.
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Source: As reported by Gambling911.
