Yes, sweepstakes casinos are legal in California. Players in the state can enjoy such sites with peace of mind.
Sweepstakes casinos are a great legal option, especially in the absence of California online casinos.
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, this doesn’t mean sweepstakes cases are illegal or receive no oversight. They are still subject to sweepstakes laws in states where they operate, including California.
How are sweepstakes casinos legal?
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.
California state sweepstakes requirements
The California Attorney General’s website lays out the basics of the California sweepstakes law. The legal requirements for the state of California are largely the same as the federal requirements, including this basic parameter:
“Don’t pay to enter a sweepstakes or to collect a prize. Legitimate sweepstakes are free and by chance. It is illegal to require you to buy something or pay to enter or increase your odds of winning.”
The same language is found in the state’s sweepstakes law, California Code, Business and Professional’s Code 17539.15 (b)
“Solicitation materials containing sweepstakes entry materials or solicitation materials selling information regarding sweepstakes shall include a clear and conspicuous statement of the no-purchase-or-payment-necessary message, in readily understandable terms, in the official rules included in those solicitation materials and, if the official rules do not appear thereon, on the entry-order device included in those solicitation materials.”
Under California law, it is also illegal for sweepstakes operators to “represent that an entry in the promotional sweepstakes accompanied by an order for products or services will be eligible to receive additional prizes or be more likely to win than an entry not accompanied by an order for products or services or that an entry not accompanied by an order for products or services will have a reduced chance of winning a prize in the promotional sweepstakes.”
In short, a legal sweepstakes casino in California must be entirely free to play and to win. Although a player can spend their own money to win, doing so cannot increase their chances of winning.
We only recommend sites that strictly adhere to sweepstakes laws.
Who can play at Sweepstakes casinos?
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 you’re interested in joining 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
To keep yourself and your data safe, only play at sweepstakes casinos that operate within the law. We can help you there, as we only share sites that abide by California and federal sweepstakes laws.
We also encourage users to research sites before signing up and playing. If something feels off, you should trust your gut and take your business elsewhere.
Signs a sweepstakes casino is safe
Some good signs that a sweepstakes casino 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.