A new development has been added to the gambling scene in the Golden State as a new piece of legislation clamps down more restrictions there. Per a recent report, a piece of legislation that prohibits online sweepstakes casinos in California was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, placing a ban on the gaming vertical at the beginning of next year. Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 831, which prohibits the offering and promotion of sweepstakes gaming in the Golden State. AB 831 was signed by Newsom after the measure was passed on the Assembly floor by a 79-0 vote on Sept. 12, the final day of the first year of California’s two-year legislative session. AB 831 underwent amendments before its final approval, with the bill garnering support from several tribes and trade groups.
For this article, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from the Golden State, along with a variety of information coming from the region along with SBS.
Noted in the same report, the bill’s supporters include the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, the Sports Betting Alliance, and the California Chamber of Commerce. Under 831, online sweepstakes that offer a dual-currency system and payouts resembling gambling are banned in California. This ban applies to both operators and suppliers. Before Newsom signed AB 831, the piece of legislation was opposed by the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, founded by sweepstakes giant VGW.
Publishers Clearing House (PCH), recently acquired by social gaming company ARB Interactive, also voiced its opposition to a ban on online sweepstakes casinos in California. In a letter sent to the California Senate Appropriations Committee, PCH aligned itself with non-gaming brands that offer sweepstakes, including McDonald’s. ARB Interactive operates gaming platforms that offer dual-currency online gaming. A ban on the dual-currency systems in California will go into effect on January 1st.
According to the same report, California joins Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey as states to officially make the operation of dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos illegal in 2025. New York is also considering a ban after Bill S05935A was passed by the state’s Assembly in June. The bill applies the ban on online sweepstakes to entities that offer casino-style games with a cash-out functionality, while sweepstakes that offer non-cash prizes remain legal. New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature is the last step in enacting the piece of legislation.
In other gambling news in the Golden State, Las Vegas is watching closely as a new $600 million Hard Rock California Casino is set to open in November. Per a report, the Hard Rock Casino Tejon is just 90 miles from Los Angeles, and its gaming floor compares in size to major Las Vegas casinos. The property hopes to attract over two million visitors yearly. So, Central California gambling fans only have to wait about a month to try the region’s new $600 million casino. The Hard Rock Casino Tejon, close to Mettler, will open its doors on November 13th. Moreover, the facility will have a 150,000-square-foot gaming area, including more than 2,000 slot machines, almost 60 table games, and exclusive rooms for VIP players.
The gaming floor size is comparable to that of many big-name Vegas casinos and is 20,000 square feet larger than Caesars Palace. Construction is ahead of schedule, which means the property will open a month early and in time for the holiday season. It will take prospective customers just 90 minutes on a good day to get to the casino from Los Angeles, versus five hours by car it takes to get to Las Vegas. Moreover, the report notes, Nevada casinos hope the new Hard Rock Tejon won’t take too much business away from them and add to the ongoing decline in visitor numbers. About 30% of people going to Sin City every year are from Southern California, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) figures, making it one of the most important visitor segments.
Additionally, the article points out, the soon-to-open casino in Kern County hopes to attract over two million people every year. Hard Rock International chairman Jim Allen believes the property will “set a new standard for entertainment in the region.” The company is partnering with the Tejon Indian Tribe on the project. So, with this new player in the region, it would appear that the Tejon property will be a major player for years to come in California.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gaming notes and news coming from California, make sure to check out the excellent array of information available to you at SBS. For instance, the California sports betting guide is a must-read page that goes over all kinds of important information coming from the state in regards to gaming, etc. Additionally, for those who are interested and qualify, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read resource that covers all kinds of new updates coming from the outlet. This includes everything from the latest contests to all kinds of exciting promotions for eligible customers. Finally, for those who are looking to diversify their payment options, look no further than the payment methods breakdown, which goes over all kinds of options from crypto to more traditional routes.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
Read Chris's ProfileAsk Chris about this guide:
