Fifth Sweepstakes Casino Bows Out Early in California

SweepsUSA has officially pulled out of California, becoming the fifth sweepstakes casino to exit the state ahead of the Jan. 1, 2026 ban. The move was announced via email to players last week, citing Assembly Bill 831, the landmark legislation that criminalizes sweepstakes-style online casinos.

“Due to recent legislative changes under California Assembly Bill AB 831, our platform is no longer able to offer services to players residing in California,” the company wrote. “Effective immediately.”

While AB831 technically doesn’t take effect until 12:01 a.m. on New Year’s Day, many operators are choosing to leave early to avoid compliance risks and legal exposure — especially given how wide the law casts its net.

Who’s Already Out?

Since September, five known operators have left the California market:

• Carnival Citi
• Ruby Sweeps
• Dara Casino
• High 5 Casino (final day: Oct. 19)
• SweepsUSA (as of last week)

WOW Vegas has confirmed it will remain active in California until the very last moment.

Meanwhile, others are recalibrating fast. Baba Casino has quietly re-entered six previously exited states. Spree resumed service in Alabama and Georgia, while A1 Development LLC lowered its age limits back to 18+ for multiple platforms, all in a bid to balance the loss of California traffic.

Why the Rush?

AB831 doesn’t just outlaw sweeps platforms. It also targets a broad web of support entities. That includes payment processors, content suppliers, platform providers, affiliates, and geolocation vendors. Any misstep could put an entire ecosystem at risk.

For smaller operators like Vivaro.us, that’s too much liability. The company shut down on Oct. 1, citing the “increasing regulatory uncertainty surrounding sweepstakes casinos in the U.S.”

What’s Next?

Outside California, legislative momentum has slowed. Bills in Ohio and Massachusetts remain stalled, and no new bans are expected this year. Eyes now turn to enforcement,  and to how aggressively California will apply the new law in 2026.

Until then, the exit continues. For many sweepstakes casino operators, California isn’t worth the risk.

References:

• California Gambling Control Commission
• California Legislative Information