Another Sweeps Casino, Dara Casino, Leaves California

With AB 831, California's anti-sweepstakes casino bill, on Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk, sweepstakes casinos are leaving the state in droves.

Now, Dara Casino has announced its exit and all access has been blocked since Oct 1. This is the fourth casino we're aware of that remains open since AB 831 passed in the Assembly. 

California is the 10th location on Dara Casino's excluded state list, joining Connecticut, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Washington. 

Examining Other California Casino Exits

As mentioned, Carnival Citi, Ruby Sweeps, and High 5 have left California. 

High 5 was the first to leave, but it also followed a court's denial of its motion for arbitration in a lawsuit against it. 

After that, Carnival Citi left at the same time it departed Arizona. 

Next was Ruby Sweeps. It left on Sept. 25, and players had until then to redeem their Sweeps Coins equivalent, Emeralds.

What's Next For AB 831

AB 831 is currently on Newsom's desk. He has until Oct. 12 to sign it into law, veto it, or do nothing. 

If Newsom opts to do nothing, the bill will still pass. 

The Social Gaming Leadership Alliance released a statement regarding the bill's passing shortly after saying the following: 

“It is incredibly disappointing that the California Assembly decided to pass AB 831,” the SGLA’s executive director, Jeff Duncan, said in a statement. “Beyond the fact that this bill would worsen economic disparities among California tribes, put California to the back of the line in terms of digital innovation in this space, and take away a popular form of entertainment for residents, it will immediately strip $1 billion out of the state’s economy.

“We implore Governor Newsom to veto this bill and instead open the door for online social games to support economically disadvantaged tribal nations and the state’s economy while positioning California as a leader in next-generation gaming technology.”

An independent firm, Eilers & Krejcik, has estimated that California could earn between $200 and $300 million in annual tax revenue if it were to stand. 

We'll see what happens with just over a week until the Oct. 12 deadline.