Following implementation of California Assembly Bill 831, from January 1 2026 it will no longer be legal to play Sweepstakes games in the state. Sweepstakes contests, which draw upwards of 55 million players annually throughout the United States, have been extremely popular in California where enthusiasts could participate in the Internet-based contests that bypassed restrictions on online gaming.

Now, new legislation has banned sweepstakes in the state and players are looking for other options that will allow them to enjoy real money gambling online.

Social Casinos

Sweepstakes, also called "social casinos," have been a featured entertainment option in many American states since the early 2010s. These first social casinos such as Zynga Poker and DoubleDown Casino offered games that could be accessed exclusively on social media platforms like Facebook.

In the beginning, the games weren’t designed for gambling. The goal of the games was to allow people to play with their friends in a collaborative environment. Participants could send "gifts" of virtual chips to one another, climb community leaderboards and follow the progress of other gamers during the friendly competitions. Since these games were integrated into a social network, the name "Social Casino" stuck.

As time went by, the platforms evolved into independent websites and apps and the platforms came to be known as "sweepstakes casinos." Participating players could play sweepstakes games for minimal cost. The sweepstakes casino provided virtual currency ("Gold Coins") for free to anyone who logged in. The idea was that the games would be designed around "social" play rather than "real money wagering." This led to the social casinos being classified as social entertainment, as opposed to being labeled as gambling venues.

Rebranding

In California, online gambling is restricted. In their argument before the Legislature, Sweepstakes operators argued that, since you could play for minimal cost, the sweepstakes casino is really for community fun, not gambling. These platforms are "social" because they incorporate features found in video games and social media that traditional casinos lack such as chat rooms, gifting, public profiles and leaderboards.

To combat the Sweepstakes, anti-gambling activists and land-based casino owners joined forces in an effort to persuade the legislature to label the Sweepstakes as "casinos." By calling a platform a "Sweepstakes Casino" or "Social Casino", they said, operators were distancing themselves from the legal definition of gambling. Once the anti-sweepstakes forces were able to get the sweepstakes labeled as "gambling," they had the legal weight to delegitimize the social casinos.

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In the end, the California legislature agreed that the Sweepstakes games met the definition of gambling. The operators' argument that any money that changed hands was a retail purchase rather than a gambling deposit wasn't accepted. The Assembly determined that, since players were technically paying for the useless Gold Coins and receiving the valuable Sweepstakes Coins for free, the definition of gambling – that there was payment, chance and a prize – was met. The Sweepstakes were banned in California.

New Online Gaming Opportunities

Sweepstakes players have already started to consider their options. Many are looking at other states where sweepstakes are banned, including Nevada, Montana, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Michigan, Louisiana and Connecticut, to find different avenues for online real money social play.

The most popular choice involves offshore online casinos that can be accessed on PC and mobile 24/7. These casinos provide hundreds of casino games that you can play via a free log-in. Simply submit your username and email to the casino, confirm your account through an email link and enjoy playing for free or for real money at your leisure.

SlotoCash

The SlotoCash online casino is high on the list of choices for players who are looking at offshore online casino options. SlotoCash has a long history as a trusted Internet casino that ensures a safe and secure gaming environment where you can enjoy all of the top casino games. For players who are looking for some traditional table games, SlotoCash offers multiple poker and blackjack game variations along with baccarat and both American Roulette and European Roulette.

Games

Slots aficionados have their choice of dozens of dynamic three-reel, five-reel and even six-reel slots with special bonus rounds and interactive features like Oversized Symbols, Locking Symbols, Multipliers, Locking Scatters, Moving Wilds, Lucky Features and much more. Each game has a unique theme so regardless of your fantasies, you'll find a game to fit your interests. Many of the games include special progressive jackpots that you can hit with a single spin. You can also play slots tournaments for a chance to compete against other slots enthusiasts.

Banking

If you want to play SlotoCash games for free you can click the "Try It" button and play the game with no deposit needed. If you want to play for cash rewards, link your casino account to your preferred ebanking institution. You can fund your casino account via a credit/debit card transfer, an evoucher transaction, a wire transfer or by linking your crypto ewallet to your casino account. Deposits are generally completed within minutes and withdrawals take a bit longer.

Bonuses

The casino bonuses are applicable to all of the games at the casino so you can stretch your bankroll while you stay within your budget. SlotoCash offers a Welcome Bonus for new players, cashback deals, free spins on selected slots, crypto bonuses, comp points and more.

Sweepstakes gamers will never look back as they join the SlotoCash California gaming adventure!

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