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Find sweepstakes casinos currently available to California players. Note: California passed AB 831 in 2026, which restricts sweepstakes casinos effective January 1, 2026.
Sweepstakes casinos currently operate in California under federal sweepstakes law. Important: California passed AB 831 in 2026, which restricts the sweepstakes casino model effective January 1, 2026. Players should be aware of this upcoming regulatory change.
California has been a major market for sweepstakes casinos. However, Governor Newsom signed AB 831 into law in 2026, which bans the dual-currency sweepstakes model used by most operators. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, significantly changing the landscape for CA players.
Popular cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento
Find sweepstakes casinos currently available to California players. Note: California passed AB 831 in 2026, which restricts sweepstakes casinos effective January 1, 2026.
These rankings are powered entirely by real player votes, not paid placements. After wagering over $10MM on Stake.us alone, I can tell you exactly what separates a great sweepstakes casino from a mediocre one. Many popular sites like McLuck, Hello Millions, and Scratchful share the same parent company. However, what actually matters is how each platform treats its players — and that is exactly what these community votes reveal.
Sweepstakes casinos operate legally in 45+ US states using a dual-currency model. Players receive Gold Coins for entertainment and Sweeps Coins that can be redeemed for real cash prizes. Importantly, you never have to purchase anything to play. Federal sweepstakes law requires every site to offer free entry methods, which is what keeps the entire model legal.
Gold Coins carry no cash value and exist purely for recreational play. Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, are the currency you actually want. Most sites give you free SC just for logging in each day. Additionally, you can request free coins by mail — and by law, every site must honor these requests. This free-entry requirement is the legal backbone of the sweepstakes model.
The easiest approach is logging in daily to claim your free bonus. Beyond that, many sites post bonus codes on their social media accounts and offer weekly promotional gifts. However, the most reliable method is the mail-in request. Simply send a handwritten letter to the site, and they are legally required to send you free Sweeps Coins. Surprisingly, most players overlook this option entirely.
Once you have accumulated enough Sweeps Coins, play through them once or twice to meet the redemption requirement. After that, request a payout through your account settings. Most sites process withdrawals within 3 to 5 business days via bank transfer or PayPal. Some platforms are even faster — for example, Stake.us has processed my redemptions in as little as 48 hours.
Both types of platforms serve different player needs, so the right choice depends on your priorities. Sweepstakes casinos offer a completely legal experience with no VPN required. Meanwhile, crypto casinos provide faster Bitcoin payouts and more game variety. Here is a closer look at when each option makes the most sense.
Choose a sweepstakes casino if you want to stay fully within US law. These sites require no VPN and no cryptocurrency knowledge. You also get free coins every day just by logging in. For most casual players, sweepstakes sites offer the simplest and safest way to play online casino games for real prizes.
Crypto casinos are better suited for players who want instant Bitcoin withdrawals and access to provably fair games. However, you will need a VPN to access most of these sites from the US. If you are comfortable navigating cryptocurrency wallets and understand the legal gray area involved, crypto casinos offer unmatched payout speed and game selection.
Understanding ownership matters because it reveals how the industry actually operates. Several of the most popular sweepstakes casinos share the same parent company. For instance, McLuck, Hello Millions, and Scratchful are all operated by B2, and Pulsz also has ties to the same group. Does shared ownership affect your gameplay? Generally, no. However, knowing who stands behind each platform helps you make more informed decisions about where to deposit and play.
Looking for different types of gambling in California? Check out these options:
California has one of the most complex gambling landscapes in the United States, shaped by Native American gaming rights, state lottery operations, and a patchwork of local regulations. The state's gambling history dates back to the Gold Rush era, when card rooms and gaming halls flourished in mining towns throughout the Sierra Nevada. The modern era of California gambling began with the establishment of card rooms in the early 20th century. Unlike casinos in Nevada, these card rooms were limited to player-versus-player games like poker rather than house-banked games.
This distinction continues today, with over 80 licensed card rooms operating throughout the state. The passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988 transformed California's gambling landscape. Following Proposition 1A in 2000, tribal casinos expanded rapidly, with over 60 tribal gaming facilities now operating across the state. These tribal casinos generate billions in annual revenue and have become major employers in many California communities. Despite having some of the largest tribal casinos outside of Las Vegas, California has consistently resisted legalizing traditional online casino gambling.
Several legislative attempts have failed, leaving California's 39 million residents without access to regulated online casinos. This regulatory gap has made sweepstakes casinos extremely popular among California players, as they offer a legal alternative to traditional online gambling.
Sweepstakes casinos have operated in California under federal sweepstakes law, which distinguishes them from traditional gambling operations. The key legal difference is the sweepstakes model: players receive free Sweeps Coins through various no-purchase-necessary methods, and these virtual currencies can be redeemed for real prizes. IMPORTANT UPDATE - AB 831 LEGISLATION: In 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 831 (AB 831) into law. This legislation significantly restricts sweepstakes casinos in California and takes effect January 1, 2026.
What AB 831 means for California players: - The law bans the "dual-currency" model used by most sweepstakes casinos (Gold Coins + Sweeps Coins) - Sweepstakes casino operators must exit the California market or restructure their business model by January 1, 2026 - Players should be aware that their favorite sweepstakes platforms may no longer be available to CA residents after this date - Any Sweeps Coins balances should be redeemed before operators begin their California exit Prior to AB 831, sweepstakes casinos satisfied California's sweepstakes requirements by offering free Sweeps Coins through daily login bonuses.
mail-in requests, and social media promotions.
The California Attorney General's office had not taken enforcement action against these platforms. However, AB 831 represents a significant change in California's regulatory approach. California players should monitor their preferred platforms for announcements regarding California service and plan accordingly before the January 2026 deadline.
California players have access to all major sweepstakes casino platforms. Based on our community voting and research, the most popular options for CA players include Chumba Casino (the largest and most established), Stake.us (known for crypto-friendly features and original games), WOW Vegas (offering 900+ slots), and Pulsz (featuring live dealer games and fast payouts). When choosing a sweepstakes casino in California, consider factors like game variety, payout speed, welcome bonuses, and mobile compatibility. Our rankings are based on votes from real players, including thousands of California residents who have shared their experiences.
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