Are Sweepstakes Casinos Legal In California?
Sweepstakes casinos are illegal in California as of Jan. 1, 2026. While there are currently no legal online casinos in California offering traditional real-money gambling, social casino sites provide a lawful alternative that allow players to enjoy casino-style games for free.
Who regulates sweepstakes casinos in California?
A California organization does not formally regulate sweepstakes casinos. The California Gambling Control Commission focuses on the state’s casinos and cardrooms.
However, in 2025, the CA State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 831, outlawing sweepstakes casinos that operate under a dual-currency model.
How are sweepstakes casinos legal?
While not legal in CA, The legal landscape around sweepstakes casinos entails both state and federal oversight. Every state lays out its own laws but must comply with federal laws provided by the Federal Trade Commission.
Federal sweepstakes requirements
Sweepstakes casinos do not fall under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, and, as such, are not considered gambling sites at the federal level.
To comply with federal FTC regulations, sweepstakes casino operators must:
- Provide free entry to their sweepstakes.
- Ensure no purchase is necessary to win.
- Provide an alternate method of entry (AMOE) to join the sweepstakes.
- In a sweepstakes casino, these typically come in the form of a fiat currency created by the casino.
- Tell you that entry is free, what the prizes are, and what the odds are of winning.
All US sweepstakes casinos must abide by these rules. This is why you get premium currencies for free and can never purchase them directly. Any site purporting to be a sweepstakes casino that requires a purchase or otherwise lets you buy them straight-up is not operating lawfully.
Who can play at Sweepstakes casinos?
In states where sweepstakes casinos are legal (not including California), many sweepstakes casinos allow anyone 18+ to play; however, some require players to be 21+.
Age requirements vary by state as well. The best advice we can give you is to explore the site and look for something like what you see below from High 5 Casino:
If you don’t see language clearly showing an age requirement on the home page, review the site’s FAQs or Rules page and you’ll likely find this information.
And if you cannot find any language clarifying the age requirement, move on from that site.
Play safely at sweepstakes and social casinos
Any site operating under a sweepstakes casino model in California is considered unlawful as of Jan. 1, 2026. However, social casino sites, which are entirely free to play and have no option to redeem currency for cash prizes are still available.
Signs a sweepstakes casino is safe
Although sweepstakes casinos are illegal in CA, Some good signs that a sweepstakes casino in another state is safe to use are:
- Purchases are never required to enter.
- The site has many customer service channels with responsive representatives.
- It uses trusted payment methods.
- It receives good reviews from other users.
Keep these things in mind when you search for a legal sweepstakes casino to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.