Overview

• Senators approved AB 831 unanimously, but amendments require the bill to return to the Assembly for committee review and a floor vote before it can reach the governor.
• Procedural rules require amended text to be in print for 72 hours, compressing the timeline ahead of the Legislature’s Sept. 12 deadline.
• AB 831 would make it unlawful to operate an online sweepstakes game in California or to knowingly support such operations through services like payments, geolocation, content, platforms, or media affiliates.
• Violations would be misdemeanors carrying fines of $1,000 to $25,000 and up to one year in county jail.
• Tribal groups and industry advocates have urged lawmakers to pursue regulation rather than a ban, while one outlet reports suppliers are already pulling back from the sweeps market.