The Social Gaming Management Alliance (SGLA) has urged California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the choice to move Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831).
A vocal critic of AB 831, the SGLA has revealed a statement urging the senior determine to rethink the choice that has successfully banned on-line social video games related to sweepstakes casinos in California.
SGLA urges Governor Newsom to rethink AB 831
Jeff Duncan, Govt Director of SGLA, stated of AB 831’s passing, “This invoice would worsen financial disparities amongst California tribes, put California to the again of the road by way of digital innovation on this area, and take away a well-liked type of leisure for residents.”
The SGLA stays in full opposition to the invoice, citing a potential loss of $1 billion to the Californian economy, as indicated by market analysis carried out in August 2025 by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
California’s AB 831 is misguided.
⁰
“It’s outrageous that lawmakers are prioritizing a invoice to ban on-line social video games…this isn’t what I need my representatives to concentrate on.” – Stephanie M., Santa Cruz
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/6RrUjWwLJK
— Social Gaming Management Alliance (SGLA) (@SGLeadership) August 15, 2025
This could additionally, warned the SGLA, depart the 1,191 jobs on this trade in limbo, alongside the $208 million in family earnings, by means of ripple results within the provide chain.
AB 831’s journey
We now have extensively lined the journey of AB 831 from its inception to the quite a few oppositions throughout the Sunshine State.
The invoice had been authorized in early 2025. It was then shelved to accommodate specific tweaks earlier than being revived in June 2025 by Meeting member Avelino Valencia, with preliminary assist from the California Nations Indian Gaming Affiliation (CNIGA).
Following the fine-tuning of the invoice, sweepstakes casinos and sweepstakes would face the incoming wrath of California lawmakers. The California Public Security Committee approved the bill after the laws was agreed upon, prompting the invoice to maneuver on to the following a part of the approval course of.
The SGLA remained in open opposition to the invoice, stating that its passing might result in criminal liability for companies that will lose revenue.
Three California Tribes, the Sherwood Valley Rancheria of Pomo Indians, the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and the Massive Lagoon Rancheria, would additionally add their opposition to AB 831.
Buffey W. Bourassa, Secretary of the Sherwood Valley Rancheria Tribe, wrote his personal letter to the committee presiding over the invoice.
Bourassa stated they (Sherwood Valley), “respectfully oppose AB 831. This invoice lacks the alleged unanimous assist amongst California tribes, has superior with out significant session of broader tribal pursuits, and threatens our inherent proper to create authentic income streams to assist our individuals.”
Invoice nears nearer to completion
Main gamers within the iGaming scene, akin to Evolution and Pragmatic Play, started to tug out of the California market after the Metropolis of Los Angeles filed a civil enforcement motion.
Breaking: Pragmatic Play is definitely pulling its video games from all sweepstakes on line casino operations within the US. It has develop into the primary main supplier to exit the controversial sweepstakes on line casino vertical amid regulatory pushback and lobbying from conventional gaming pursuits.
— Zak Akoo (@ThomasAkoo) September 2, 2025
Critics and observers had been trying on the finish of the road for the profitable sweepstakes on line casino scene after AB 831 was additional fine-tuned with the intent to ban on-line sweepstakes casinos.
The up to date textual content learn, “(a) It’s illegal for any particular person or entity to function, conduct, or supply a web-based sweepstakes sport on this state.” With the revisions complete, the invoice moved on to the final stretch of Senate approval after which the pen of the Californian Governor Newsom.
With the invoice now within the limelight, the SGLA has dedicated to working with Newsom to make its level heard.
Duncan concluded, “We implore Governor Newsom to veto this invoice and as an alternative open the door for on-line social video games to assist economically deprived tribal nations and the state’s economic system whereas positioning California as a pacesetter in next-generation gaming know-how.”
Featured picture: Social Gaming Management Alliance / Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 2.0
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